DURHAM, NC - Marian Henderson Thorne, 78, daughter of the late Abram J. Henderson and Alice Stevens Henderson, born on January 18, 1930, was called to eternal rest on January 10, 2009.

Marian was preceded in death by her parents and her only brother, John C. Henderson.

Marian Thorne was a leader in her chosen field of Business Education. A true and dedicated educator at heart, she distinguished not only herself, but the School of Business Education at North Carolina Central University. Marian attended elementary schools in Winston Salem and Fayetteville, and high school at Mary Potter Academy in Oxford. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from North Carolina College at Durham (now NC Central University), earned a masters degree in Business Education from Boston University and the doctorate degree from Pennsylvania State University.

She excelled in both her academic pursuits as well as her professional teaching career at North Carolina Central University. During Marian's 35-year tenure at NCCU she received many promotions and honors. Her numerous professional publications continue to be utilized by the Business Education department at NCCU, NC Public Schools and beyond. Upon retirement in 1986, as Professor and Associate Dean for Undergraduate Programs in the School of Business, the NCCU Board of Trustees conferred upon Dr. Marian Thorne the title of Professor Emerita.

Over the years, Dr. Thorne also served on and contributed to many organizations, including Scarborough Nursery School Board, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, the Aids Ministry at St. Titus' Episcopal Church, and Marian truly enjoyed activities with the Senior Citizens organization at Holy Cross Catholic Church until her health declined.

She leaves to cherish her memory a loyal and dedicated husband of 57 years, George T. Thorne; a daughter, Kathy Thorne Lindsay, her spouse, Dennis G. Lindsay; three grandchildren, Dennis G. Lindsay Jr., Amber J. Timberlake, Christopher Lindsay; a sister, Alice H. Jones and spouse, Ronald Jones; a very special and long-time friend, Albertha Fitts, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws, former colleagues and friends.

Services were held on Thursday, January 15, 2009, at Holy Cross Catholic Church, 2438 South Alston Ave., Durham, NC. At 11 a.m. the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. "Omega, Omega" Ceremony; 11:30 Visitation and Viewing; and at 12 p.m. the Homegoing Service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the St. Titus' Episcopal Church Building Fund.

Services entrusted to Scarborough and Hargett Funeral Home, Inc.