Marie Gail Austin Steed, 72, of Advance, died, Thursday, Dec. 6, 2018 at Trinity Elms Memory Center after suffering for several years from Alzheimer’s.

She was born in Charlotte to the late H. Edward Austin and Mary Sigmon Austin. She attended the public schools in Charlotte and graduated from Myers Park High School.  She also graduated from Limestone College in Gaffney, S.C., with a bachelor’s degree.  She was initially employed in Charlotte with Eastern Airlines as a reservationist.

She was married to William P. Steed for almost 49 years (Jan. 31, 1970) and during that time she developed her love for teaching. She taught in the Moore County Schools until they began their family and returned to the classroom with the Davie County Schools when the girls began school. She became an outstanding mother and wife in support of her husband as he progressed in his career as an educational leader in the public schools of North and South Carolina.

Survivors: her husband, Bill of the home; daughter, Mary Catherine Hartley (Matt) and granddaughters, Macy and Clara of Seagrove; daughter, Page Tutterow (Jason) and granddaughters, Reese and Harper of Advance; and daughter, Caroline Cress (Joey) and granddaughters, Callie and Piper of Mocksville; and siblings, William Austin (Jane) of Charlotte, Patricia Yates (Wynn) of Charlotte,  Jayne Barreras (Tony) of Peachtree City, Ga. and T.E. Austin (Susan) of Durham.

While their girls were at home, she was the consummate mother, attending to daily needs of the family. She was a reader and passed that love on to her family and students.She had an unconditional love for her family and supported them with a passion. She instilled a love of birthday celebrations, holidays, family activities, and seasonal decorations for their home. She was a world class shopper and passed that trait on to her daughters and granddaughters. She was a person who always had a smile, never met a stranger, and could quickly be at ease talking with anyone.

A funeral service will be conducted at 11 a.m., Thursday, Dec. 13 at First United Methodist Church with Dr. Glenn L. Myers Jr. officiating. Burial will follow in Evergreen Cemetery in Charlotte. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 12 at Eaton Funeral Home.

Memorials: Alzheimer’s Assoc. Western Carolina Chapter, 4600 Park Road, Ste. 250, Charlotte, 28209; or Davie Community Foundation, PO Box 546, Mocksville, Memo: Bill & Marie Steed Family Scholarship.

Condolences: www.eatonfuneralservice.com.