of Marshall, AR

March 27, 1933 - March 1, 2024

Marilyn Mabrey Sanders was born March 27, 1933 to Guy and Hazel (Leonard) Mabrey. She passed away at Highland Court Health and Rehabilitation Center in Marshall on March 1, 2024.

Marilyn graduated from Leslie High School in 1951 and continued her education at Arkansas State Teacher's College in Conway. She married the love of her life, Kenneth Sanders, in 1953 and moved to Kansas City for Kenneth to finish his military enlistment. Marilyn and Kenneth returned to Marshall at the end of his service and Marilyn spent several years teaching at Marshall, Leslie and Snowball. She taught a multitude of grades and subjects and always spoke fondly of her years teaching. Marilyn and Kenneth took over the operation of the Ken Theatre and their love of the movie business was born. In 1966, they opened the Kenda Drive-In Theatre and for almost 40 years worked side by side in the business, watching generations of Searcy County residents ''grow up'' at the drive in. Until her retirement in 2003, Marilyn was the face of the drive-in, handing out speakers and welcoming customers at the box-office. Many Searcy County teenagers were listed in Marilyn's ''charge book'' when they didn't have enough money for a movie. After retirement, Marilyn spent most evenings in front of her picture window, watching the ''crowd come in.''

Kenneth and Marilyn were blessed with three children, Steve, Bill and Kenda; all three of which worked at the family business when needed. Marilyn was the rock of her family, always cooking, cleaning and taking care of them. She loved her kids, but the grandkids and great-grands brought special joy to her life.

Marilyn was preceded in death by her father and mother; her husband, Kenneth Sanders; a son, Steven Ray Sanders and two sisters, Wanda Lee Daniel and Carolyn Griffith. She is survived by one son and daughter-in-law, Bill and Kay Sanders of Little Rock; daughter and son-in-law, Kenda and Todd Dearing of Marshall; four grandchildren, Kory (Kim) Sanders, Rane (Melanie) Dearing, Maggie (Josh) Jeffers and Kace (Jaden) Dearing and five great-grandchildren, Wyatt and Parker Jeffers, Jack and River Dearing and Karsyn Dearing.

Funeral services for Marilyn will be 10:00 AM Tuesday, March 5th, 2024 at Roller-Coffman Chapel in Marshall, Arkansas. Visitation will be 6:00 till 8:00 PM Monday, March 4th, 2024 in the Chapel. Interment will be in East Lawn Cemetery where Marilyn will be laid to rest beside her husband, Kenneth. Pallbearers will be Kory Sanders, Rane Dearing, Kace Dearing, Josh Jeffers, Heath Massey, Doug Campbell and Jason Bradford. A special thank you to the staff at Highland Court and Laura Treat of Legacy Hospice for their care and compassion during the last few weeks.

Obituary Provided By:
Roller-Coffman Funeral Home
923 Highway 65 North
Marshall, AR  72650
www.rollerfuneralhomes.com