Marlys was a licensed Realtor, broker and appraiser for many years and was active in her profession, having served as president of the Southeast Arkansas Board of Realtors. She was also very active in her community, serving as a member of the Chamber of Commerce, the 20th Century Club, the Lake Village Garden Club, the Lake Village Country Club, the V.I.P. Investment Club, and as an auxiliary nurse for the Chicot Memorial Medical Center. She was a highly respected lady in Southeast Arkansas.
She was a very organized and artistic person who loved decorating. Marlys, along with a special friend, Betty Bunker, went in business together and opened “The Finishing Touch” in Lake Village, a floral, gift and craft shop. Other hobbies of hers included swimming, laying out in the sun, playing golf and tennis and shopping; she was an avid movie watcher and enjoyed painting and oriental rugs. She always had a list for her husband, Charles (“Charlie,” as Marlys often called him), to do on weekends around the house, especially when he took a break from hunting and fishing.
One of the things that Marlys loved was family reunions, especially the ones at Shangri-La Resort at Lake Ouachita. Her family was her life, and she always wanted all of them with her, including her extended family, brothers and sisters. She simply adored all of her family and friends. She attended numerous social events and parties throughout her lifetime, always ready to lend a helping hand and celebrate with others. When there was a birth, wedding, death, or any type of celebration, she was there with a gift, arrangement or dish that she cooked herself. Marlys was always a giving person with a huge heart.
She was an outstanding cook, a skilled seamstress, and she loved caramel and chocolate. She was lovingly referred to as “Doe” by her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was an active churchgoer and a member of Lake Village Baptist Church, where she enjoyed serving her Lord. One of her daily hobbies was studying Scripture and reading books relating to the Lord and the Bible. She was involved in all church activities including Sunday school, prayer meetings, Bible school and Wednesday services, and she rarely ever missed. In the words of her son, Clif Turnage, “She was the best mother ever to her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.”
She is survived by two children; a brother; a sister; five grandchildren; and eleven great grandchildren. She loved her whole family dearly and loved spending time with them. She was predeceased by two sisters.
Active pallbearers will be Clif Turnage, Chris Lampkin, Whit Barton, Jimmy Hill, Juan Lara and Abel Rivera. Honorary pallbearers are Paul Rainwater and Chuck Dearman.
Private funeral service was at 1 p.m. Thursday, April 30, 2015, at Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Chapel with invited guests only.
In memory of Marlys, we would just like people to be kind to one another.
Online guestbook at www.stephensondearman.com