Marilyn Smith

Marilyn Ann Smith, 89, of Hot Springs, AR passed away peacefully on November 8th, 2024. Born to Percy and Ethel Brunson in Fon du Lac County Wisconsin, Marilyn was a loving wife, sister, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.

Marilyn spent the early part of her life on a Wisconsin farm with her parents and her sister Joan. The family were devout Catholics and Catholicism was to be a pillar of Marilyn’s life. As a young child Marilyn would attend dances with her parents. This contributed to the distinctive love of music and dance that Marilyn maintained throughout her life.

She married her husband James “Jim” Smith in 1955. Marilyn and Jim had five children as they settled into life in Pickett, Wisconsin. The couple worked hard and sacrificed so that all their children could have a Catholic school education at St. Patrick’s Parish in Ripon, Wisconsin.

In 1972 the family left Wisconsin and relocated to Searcy, Arkansas for Jim’s job. In Searcy, Marilyn continued to raise her children while working various jobs. Eventually, Marilyn and Jim partnered with their oldest daughter, Marianne and her husband Steve, to purchase the Boutique gift shop in Searcy. Marilyn was known for the lovely flower arrangements she created while helping at the shop.

At the end of a long week spent working and caring for her family, Marilyn loved nothing more than gathering with family and friends for food, music, and dancing. The heart of Marilyn’s life was always her family. She took pride in every child and grandchild’s accomplishments whether large or small. As grandchildren and great grandchildren arrived, Marilyn extended her warmth and love to an ever-growing family.

Marilyn was a fierce advocate for her family. Always supportive, she was ever ready with words of support and encouragement whenever life’s inevitable setbacks would occur. Marilyn also possessed an enthusiastic and often outspoken sense of fairness and justice that extended beyond her family.

Upon retirement, Jim and Marilyn moved to a retirement community in Hot Springs where they were able to spend their remaining years surrounded by family.

Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents, Percy and Ethel Brunson, her beloved husband Jim, and her eldest daughter Marianne Jones. She is survived by her sister Joan Hielke, her remaining children, Craig Smith, Janet Haltom (Jeff), Alan Smith (Patti), Doug Smith, son in law Steve and a host of grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Marilyn’s legacy of love, support and kindness will live on in the memory of her family.

Visitation will be at St. Mary of the Springs Catholic Church, Hot Springs, AR on Thursday, December 5th starting at 2:30 pm, Rosary to begin at 3:00 and Mass to follow. She will be interred at the Calvary Cemetery.