Marilyn Elizabeth Landers

Marilyn grew up in Jonesboro and Pocahontas, Arkansas and a graduate of Holy Angels Academy. Marilyn married William Landers on February 28, 1948 in Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church. Mr. Landers was attending Arkansas State College of Jonesboro when they met. He had served three years in the US Marines during WWII.

Bill and Marilyn started their family of three children, Gil, Patti, and Stan in Jonesboro Arkansas. Soon Bill’s job as a football coach, Elementary school Principal and High School Councilor moved the family to Missouri, Mississippi, Florida and finally residing in Little Rock. It was in Little Rock that Marilyn started her position as bookkeeper for Montgomery Wards. She worked at Montgomery Wards for a number of years, retiring soon after the passing of her husband, Marilyn went into business with her son, Gil. For 35 years Marilyn enjoyed the daily bookkeeping and working in their Family business, “Big Daddy’s Pawn”. Marilyn had a passion for the Community; and, she enjoyed serving and helping with “Helping Hands of Little Rock”. After Gil passed away on February 19, 2012, Billy Landers, her grandson, began working at “Big Daddy‘s Pawn” along side his Grandmother. They enjoyed working closely together every day until Marilyn retired because of health reasons at the young age of 93.

Marilyn loved her church “Our Lady of Holy Souls Catholic Church” where she was an active member, attending daily Mass. For many years she was a part of the Stephens Ministry and attended a Holy Hour of Adoration each week.

Marilyn loved a good card game. Along with several of her friends from church, they would gather biweekly at each other’s house to visit and play cards. It was during these visits they would plan trips.

Marilyn loved to travel with her friends from church. These travels took her to many great places. A train ride across Canada. A trip to EWTN in Alabama where she Meet the Founder Mother Angelica. She often said, “I shook Mother Angelica’s hand, I didn’t want to wash my hand for a week.” A trip to the Holy Land where she walked the Footsteps of Jesus. She spoke often about the Dead Sea and the many other wonderful experiences she had in the Holy Land. A trip in the mid 1990’s, soon after the Bosnian war, to visit the tiny village of Medjugorje, a Village that the Virgin Mary is continuing to appear to the six seers. She loved this trip and often talked about how Medjugorje touched her spiritually.

Marilyn loved her family. Family Holiday and Birthday Celebrations brought a smile to her face. She always found time for her grandchildren. Weekly during the summer they would pack up her car to go camping at near by lakes and campgrounds. Lots of fishing, swimming, and cookouts over a fire. She was very proud of her grand children. They would always brighten her face and bring a twinkle to her eyes. Marilyn always had a soft spot for dogs. They were always included in family gatherings.

Marilyn is survived by her son Stanley M. (Camilla) Landers, daughter Patricia K. Landers; her loving grandchildren William (Denver) Landers, Heather (Darren) Arndt and David T. Landers; her most precious great grand children, Canon Landers, Stella Landers, Gavin Landers, Mia Arndt, Lennon Arndt and many other family relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, William E. Landers, mother Mabel E. Stewart, father Joseph O. Stewart, brother Henry E. Stewart, sister Frances D. Stewart, son Gilbert A. Landers and grandson David M. Landers.

She left this world at 95 years young, such a strong Lady and beautiful role model.

As she passed just a few days before Christmas we all had the most peaceful thought—Marilyn truly did go home for Christmas! We can only imagine the joy and celebration she is having.

In lieu of flowers some of Marilyn’s favorite charities she donated to regularly were:

EWTN. Eternal World Television Network

Caritas of Birmingham, Alabama

Our Lady of Holy Souls Catholic Church, Little Rock, Arkansas

Helping Hands, Little Rock, Arkansas