Marvelene Hill Murph Carico

• Born: Oct. 21, 1937 Johnston, NC
• Died: May 21, 2019 Bailey, NC
• Buried: Bailey Town Cemetery, Bailey, NC
• Married: Woodrow Franklin Murph on Jan. 28, 1955
• Married: Robert Edward Carico on Oct. 19, 1974, in Dillon, SC

Marvelene Hill was born Oct. 21, 1937, and died May 21, 2019. She married Woodrow Franklin Murph on Jan. 28, 1955, and then married Robert Edward Carico on Oct. 19, 1974.
Marvelene's children with Woodrow Franklin Murph
William “Frankie” Franklin Murph
Robert “Robin” Lance Murph May 14, 1960 Guilford, NC-June 26, 2007 Wilson, NC
Wilbert “Kip” Christopher Murph
Angela “Angie” Dean Marie Murph Mosley Dec. 22, 1966 Alamance, NC-May 6, 2018
Marvelene's children with Robert Edward Carico
Michael Lorne Carico

Marvelene Hill was born on October 21, 1937, on the top floor of a grocery store near Moore School House in Johnston County, North Carolina. She was the second child of Wilbert and Mayzell Boykin Hill, and just eleven months younger than her sister, Imogene. Marvelene grew up in a bustling household with her nine siblings: Imogene Hill, William "Toot" Janel Hill, Cornelia Hill, Karen Hill, Sandra Hill, Elizabeth Hill, Linda Lorraine Hill, Sharon Teresa Hill, and Debra Ann Hill.

Her childhood was characterized by constant movement due to her father Wilbert's work in a rock quarry in Onslow County, where he mined limestone, sand, and gravel amidst plentiful bears, water moccasins, and rattlesnakes. Marvelene and her brother Toot found thrill in daring escapades, like racing a wagon down a rock quarry hill. Their family moved frequently, sometimes four times in a single year.

Barely a teenager, Marvelene began working, first in tobacco fields for $.25 an hour, with her earnings going to her father for rent. Later, she worked in Kenly for $.50 an hour, using the money to buy school clothes.

Despite these efforts, Marvelene left school at 15 after finishing 8th grade to help her mother care for her younger siblings: Toot (13), Karen (7), Sandra (5), Liz (4), and Linda (1). Later, Sharon and Debra were born. Marvelene often babysat her younger siblings, including playful times in the quarry pond with inner tubes under her watchful eye.

Bob's Early Life and Military

Robert "Bob" Edward Carico was born on December 22, 1935, in Wayne County, West Virginia, to Venard and Lottie Carrico. His siblings included Kenneth, Judy Carrico Vaughn, Roger, Charles, Bill, Sanky Lee, James, Inez Wilson, and Ila Francis.

When Bob was young, his family moved to Galax, Virginia, a furniture-making town, where nine more siblings were born. Times were tough, and at just 13, Bob left school to work in a cotton mill to help support his family.

Eager to leave Galax, Bob found his opportunity by joining the U.S. Navy in 1952 at the age of 17. He spent most of his four years in Bainbridge, Maryland, serving as a Naval Shore Patrolman, tracking down AWOL sailors.

After an honorable discharge, Bob settled in Greensboro, North Carolina, and began working in a textile mill. It was years before anyone realized a mistake on his birth certificate had misspelled his last name as "Carico" instead of the family's traditional "Carrico."

First Marriages and New Beginnings

In January 1955, Marvelene met Woodrow "Woody" Franklin Murph. Woody, who drove a blue 1954 Bel Air Chevy and earned good money at a bobbin factory, quickly captured Marvelene's heart. They secretly married on January 29, 1955, with Woody's uncle, Rev. T. C. Davis, officiating. Marvelene wore a modest $2.99 wool plaid dress from Woolworths, with her sister Imogene accompanying them. They initially lived with Woody's parents, John and Ruby, before Woody built a house on his 12 acres, featuring a fireplace and porches—a source of great pride for Marvelene.

Together, Marvelene and Woody had four children: William "Frankie" Franklin Murph (born 1959), Robert "Robin" Lance Murph (1960), Wilbert "Kip" Christopher Murph (1962), and Angela "Angie" Dean Marie Murph Mosely (1966).

Their life took a challenging turn when Woody quit his factory job to farm tobacco full-time. Despite their tireless efforts battling droughts, worms, and disease, farming for profit proved elusive. Overwhelmed by stress and bad luck, including a totaled farm truck, they stopped farming and moved to a rented house in Greensboro. With the children in school, Woody found work, and Marvelene was hired by a textile hosiery mill, eventually becoming a supervisor. She proudly bought her first car, a 1967 Mercury Capri. It was during this period that Marvelene and Woody began to drift apart.

Finding Love and Companionship

Marvelene met Bob Edward Carico at the textile mill where she was his supervisor. Bob had been honorably discharged from the Navy and settled in Greensboro. While Marvelene's first marriage was in crisis, and Bob's own marriage had ended years earlier, neither initially sought a new relationship. However, a wonderful friendship blossomed between them, eventually growing into love.

In August 1973, Marvelene made the difficult decision to leave Woody, moving the children to Virginia. Woody later sold the farm, and Marvelene received a settlement. Her divorce was finalized in 1974, with custody of the children awarded to her.

Marvelene and Bob married on October 19, 1974, in Dillon, South Carolina. Her mother Mayzell, sister Liz, and brother-in-law Milton Boyette accompanied them. Marvelene's entire family warmly embraced Bob, welcoming him into their fold.

Together, Marvelene and Bob welcomed one son, Michael Lorne Carico, born in 1975.

A Life of Hard Work and Joy

The early years of their marriage saw several moves. They lived in the mountains and later in Atlantic Beach on the Carolina coast, where Bob worked for Carteret Manufacturing Company, building deck houses for ships. Eventually, they returned to Marvelene's hometown of Eureka, North Carolina.

Bob was truly a "jack-of-all-trades." He worked in tobacco, in a garage, on a farm, and drove water and asphalt trucks—a profession his own father had also pursued. A heart attack in 1992 forced him to retire from driving trucks after working for S.T. Wooten since 1982. Even in retirement, Bob's love for work and family shone through. When Kip started a part-time roofing business, Bob, despite not minding heights or hard work, was always there to help, keeping spirits high with his characteristic smile and humor.

Bob's passions included listening and talking on his CB radio, an interest he picked up while living at the coast, even maintaining a base station at home. His CB handle was "Blue Furry." He remained connected to his Virginia roots, making trips for family funerals and attending a memorable Carrico Reunion in Ohio in 1993. Raised on bluegrass, he particularly enjoyed the fiddle but transitioned to favoring gospel music in his later years. Vince Gill's "Go Rest High on the Mountain," which he first heard at the Carrico Reunion, deeply resonated with him.

Bob was famously the "family jokester," always smiling and loved to tease. His unique ability to imitate animal sounds with such accuracy often delighted his grandchildren, who would look around for the source of the sounds. He cherished babysitting his grandchildren, forming special bonds with them and stepping in whenever Marvelene was unable. Michael once playfully asked his dad, "Why did you never grow up?" to which Bob famously replied, "If I ever grow up, I'll get old and die!" This sentiment captured his vibrant spirit, embodying Proverbs 17:22: "A merry heart doth good like a medicine."

For over 15 years, Bob and Marvelene were active members of Sims Baptist Church in Sims, North Carolina, forming a close relationship with Pastor Steve Strickland, who often noted the sunshine Bob's smile brought to the church.

Bob grew up listening to bluegrass music and especially enjoyed hearing the fiddle. In his later years he preferred gospel music. He first heard Vince Gill's "Go Rest High on the Mountain" at the Carrico Reunion. Bob was drawn to the lyrics.