Grace Marie Sides Carden

Grace Marie Sides Carden, 74, of Durham, passed away Thursday, May 27, 2021, after a brief battle with breast cancer. She was born in Morganton, NC on February 26, 1947 and was the only child of the late Robert McDonald Sides and Grace Melinda Bolding Sides of Chesterfield.  Despite years in the Triangle, Marie’s heart never strayed from her mountain home.  She delighted in each and every chance to spend time “back home”, even as opportunities to do so were fewer and farther between in her final years.  Marie spent her career with IBM, cultivating many lifelong friendships, and ultimately it led her to her loving husband, Eddie, of the last thirty years.  She was always willing to help out anyone and everyone in need, especially her boys, placing her needs second more often than not.

Surviving are her husband, Floyd E. (Eddie) Carden of Durham, NC; her sons, Robert Michael (Rob) Griffin, and his wife Veronica, of Raleigh, NC and Richard Wade (Wade) Griffin, and his partner Sarah Sealey, of Durham NC; her stepson, Ed Carden and his wife, Angela, of Forney, TX; her granddaughter, Eleanor Griffin, and grandson, Everett Griffin, both of Raleigh, NC; granddaughters Ashlyn and Kaitlyn Carden, also of Forney, TX; “brother” Troy Patton and his wife, Joann, of Morganton, NC; “sister” Judy Hester and her husband, Calvin, of Wake Forest, NC; her numerous cousins; and many lifelong friends; all of whom she loved dearly.

Marie’s grandchildren kept her going despite what life threw her way.  She loved nothing more than to share time with all of them, followed closely by having an excuse to shop for things to send to each of them.  Much like her mother Grace, her grandbabies would make her smile when nothing else could. She took great pride in every opportunity to show them off, in celebrating their achievements and in watching each of them come into their own.

Marie’s final wishes were to go back to her mountain home and they will be honored as her family welcomes family and friends for a visitation from 11:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. Saturday, June 5, 2021 at Sossoman Funeral Home in Morganton, NC.  A graveside ceremony and burial will immediately follow at Burke Memorial Park, with the Rev. Brian Smith officiating.  Pallbearers will be Steve Morgan, David Shuping, Mike Bolding, Bruce Roberts, Bradley Ray and Jeff Putnam.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in the name of Marie Carden, to: the American Cancer Society, PO Box 42040, Oklahoma City, OK 73123; the Susan G. Komen Foundation, 13770 Noel Road, Suite 801889, Dallas TX, 75380; and/or the Multiple Sclerosis Society, Greater Carolinas Chapter, 3101 Industrial Dr., Suite 210, Raleigh, NC 27609.

Sossoman Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements.