Mrs. Marie Speed Dobbins, age 89 of Fayetteville, North Caolina, transitioned this life from labor to reward on January 31, 2025, at First Health Hospice and Palliative Care, West End, North Carolina, with her youngest daughter by her side. She was born in Harnett County on October 14, 1935, to the late Fred Lewis Speed and Beatrice Campbell Speed. She was preceded in death by her late husband, Lacy Larce Farmer.

Marie received her formal education and graduated from Anne Chestnut High School in the County of Cumberland. She spent twenty-six years as a civil service employee at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and retired in November 1993. She continued her education at Fayetteville State University, graduated in 1995, where she received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Education, became certified and taught for five years in Cumberland County Schools at E. E. Smith High School.

Marie joined and served as a faithful member of her home church, Mt. Hebrew A.M.E. Zion Church, Fayetteville, North Carolina, and served in numerous positions (e.g.) the youth choir director, church secretary, and class leader. She was also a member of the Lay Council member and the Preacher’s Steward. On May 10, 1996, she was united in holy matrimony to her loving husband of the home, Randel Henry Dobbins.

She later moved her membership to Evans Metropolitan AME Zion Church, Fayetteville, North Carolina, where she served as a class leader. She worked diligently as a lay member, fulfilling her duties to the upbuilding of God’s kingdom until the Lord said, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.” -Matthew 25:21

She was preceded in death by her parents, Fred and Beatrice Speed.

She leaves to cherish her memories: her husband, Randel H. Dobbins; one son, Jerome E. Farmer, Sr. (Glenda), of Fayetteville, NC; two daughters, Tisha L. Farmer of Hampton, VA, and Cynthia Farmer (Calvin) of Raleigh, NC; one brother, James L. (Jim) Speed (Cynthia) of Hillsborough, NC; one sister, Thelma R. Lattimore of Fayetteville, NC; four grandchildren, Vonita Marie Farmer and Jerome Everette Farmer, Jr. (Erica), both of Fayetteville, and Colin Alexander McEachin (Ashlin) and Corey Bryce McEachin, both of Raleigh, NC; five loving great-grandchildren, Olivia Irene Cox-Farmer, Quincy Xavier Cox-Farmer, Briana Rebecca Cox-Farmer (Jerome, Jr./Erica), Isaiah Javon Griffin (Vonita), and Clover Chaye’Marie McEachin (Corey); and she is loved by a host of nephews and nieces who loved visiting and talking with her.

Marie had many attributes which shaped how and why people loved her. If you knew our mother, you knew she was a very loving, caring, honest, diligent person, full of integrity. She was funny and straightforward (all rolled up) into one person.

Marie was actively involved in numerous organizations over the years (e.g.) The Order of the Eastern Star. She was very active within the A. M. E. Zion Church, serving as the youth choir director, church secretary, and class leader. She was also a member of the Lay Council, and a member and the preacher’s steward for numerous years. Marie loved sewing, trying out new recipes, shopping for the latest fashion, and attending all the conferences affiliated with the A.M. E. Zion Church.

Visitation: 10:30 am - 12:00 pm Friday, February 7, 2025, at Evans Metropolitan AME Zion Church in Fayetteville, NC.

Funeral will be held 12:00 pm on Friday, February 7, 2025, at Evans Metroplitan AME Zion Church, 301 N. Springs Street in Fayetteville, NC 28301.

Burial: Rockfish Memorial Park, 4017 Gillespie Street in Fayetteville, NC 28306.