Marylene Strain

Waynesville, Marylene Ham Strain, 99 of Waynesville, NC died peacefully on August 22, 2012 at Haywood Lodge inWaynesville. She was born to the late Mary Elizabeth Coleman and James Lawrence Ham in Elba, Alabama on April19, 1913. She graduated from Elba High School in 1930. On December 20, 1936 she married Haldane Strain and enjoyed a partnership lasting 40 years until his passing in 1976. Marylene's true mark was her effortless, natural inclination to make others feel special. Indeed, as engagements with her concluded, you fondly parted ways feeling certain you were one of her favorite people. "Mayleno," as she was called by her beloved grandchildren, was a warm, friendly, gentle light to the world and the people she knew. She was the very personification of "short and sweet." Marylene lived a full, productive life with few regrets. In January 1934 she moved to Washington, DC to work for the Home Owners' Loan Corporation as a stenographer. This was a bold move for an unmarried Alabama girl of 20 years and typified her spunky spirit. Marylene was mother to two children, Elizabeth and Angelyn. Though she would have preferred "putting down roots," she faithfully supported Hal and each of his dreams. In one two year period the family of four lived in an Airstream trailer, moving from place to place as "The Hal Strain Swing Band" played to packed venues across the South. In the mid 1940s the adventure continued to Florence, SC where she worked at his side to successfully build Strains of Music, an instrument and music supply store. In 1959 the family moved to Western North Carolina and re-opened Strains of Music in Waynesville. The business Marylene helped build has had a significant positive impact on the music community of Haywood County. Countless mountain musicians, school band students and simple hobbyists have had access to the finest instruments and support. Marylene's character was to help her customers be successful any way possible. A hard worker her entire life, she worked each day in the store before retiring at age 92 in 2005. Her adventures continued throughout her life, having lived in many different states and traveling to several foreign countries. She was happy to have toured all fifty U.S. states, capping the feat with a final trip to Alaska in 1997. She also loved gardening, being outdoors, animals of all kinds and was a world-class bridge player from her childhood. Marylene is survived by her daughters, Libba Feichter of Waynesville; and Angie Messer and her husband Ralph of Jonathan Creek. She is further survived by grandchildren Laurie Feichter Frodsham and her husband Chris of Waynesville; Jon Feichter and his wife Janice of Waynesville; Will Feichter and his wife Molly of Raleigh, NC; Andrew Messer of Myrtle Beach, SC; and Michael Messer and his wife Alisha of Waynesville, NC. She is also survived by nine great grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Sarge's Animal Rescue Foundation or one's favorite charity. Marylene, Mother, Mayleno, you will be profoundly missed. In your gentle, sweet way you made us all feel special, when all along it was you who was deeply special to us. Wells Funeral Homes & Cremation Services of Waynesville is in charge of arrangements.

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