Plyler, Marion Timothy

14 Sept. 1867–24 Mar. 1954

Marion Timothy Plyler, Methodist minister and editor, was born in Iredell County, the son of Robert Conrad and Mary L. Kimball Plyler, and the twin brother of A. W. Plyler. He married Epie Duncan Smith on 20 June 1900, and they had nine children: Edle Mern, Ruth, Leroy S., Marion T., Jr., Conrad N., Eppie Duncan (Mrs. Willis Van Wagoner), Mern (Mrs. James R. Anthony), Grace (Mrs. J. A. McLean), and Eleanor K. (Mrs. Wasson Baird). The two oldest children, Edle Mern and Ruth, died at ages four and three respectively. 

M. T. Plyler received the A.B. degree from Trinity College and M.A. degrees from Trinity and The University of North Carolina; he pursued graduate studies at the University of Chicago. Both The University of North Carolina and Duke University awarded him honorary degrees. He entered the traveling ministry in the North Carolina Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, in 1892 and served pastorates at Carteret Circuit, Wilmington, Murfreesboro, Grifton Circuit, Plymouth, Louisburg, and Chapel Hill. He also was presiding elder of the Elizabeth City, Durham, and Raleigh districts.

In 1928 Plyler became joint editor and business manager of the North Carolina Christian Advocate, where he served until his retirement. For a number of years he was president of the Board of Managers of the Conference Pastors' School, and he was elected as a delegate from the North Carolina Conference to three General Conferences of the church. He was buried in Maplewood Cemetery, Durham.