Scarlett Voncanon

Scarlett Miller VonCanon, 79, of Marion, SC, passed away peacefully on December 9, 2016 in Denver, CO. Scarlett was born in Durham, NC on August 26, 1937 to Walter and Ruth Parks of Raeford, NC. She graduated from Hoke County High School and received her Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from East Carolina College in 1959. That same year she married her college sweetheart, Jerry Thomas Miller. After 4 years in Frankfurt, Germany for his military service, they returned to North Carolina, and in 1965 had a son, Jeffrey Thomas Miller. On February 18, 1966, Scarlett survived a devastating car accident that claimed the lives of her husband and 3-month-old son. During her recovery, Scarlett formed a bond with Carl VonCanon, Jr. who, shortly before this accident, had also lost his spouse to illness and was raising his 4-year old son, David. In 1967, Scarlett and Carl married and had two more children - a son, Paul, and a daughter, Amy. In 1976 they moved to Marion, SC where they raised their family. They were married for 42 years until Carl's passing in 2009.

Scarlett possessed a life-long passion for learning and teaching. Inspired by her love of theater, she was actively involved in the Playmakers community theater in Marion, both as an actor and director. During this time she received a Master of Fine Arts degree in Theater History. Her love of teaching children (her first career) evolved into a love of teaching adults. She taught theater history, public speaking and English literature for over a decade at Coker College, where she was twice awarded "Adjunct Professor of the Year." Scarlett also enjoyed painting, drawing, sewing, playing the piano and guitar, playing (and teaching) bridge, travelling, entertaining and participating in social and community events in Marion. In addition to her work and hobbies, Scarlett was a lifelong member and active participant in the First United Methodist Church of Marion. Passionate about pets, the many beloved dogs and cats whose company she enjoyed throughout her lifetime were as much a part of her family as her husband and children.

Scarlett is survived by her sons, David VonCanon of Raleigh, NC and Paul ("Quint") VonCanon of Atlanta, GA, and her daughter, Amy VonCanon, of Denver, CO. A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on February 18 at Hodges Chapel in Benson, NC.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to the Alzheimer's Association.