of Little Rock, AR

November 10, 1932 - August 2, 2023

Marlene was born November 10, 1932 to Pearl and Cebern Ballard. She spent her early life in Beebe, Arkansas, always alongside her beloved older sister, Dorothy. They remained close for their entire lives. She was a lover of all animals, adopting a pet goat in elementary school and owning countless dogs and cats through the years, including her mini-poodle, Annie. Some of her fondest childhood memories were that of picking watermelons at her grandfather's farm with him.

In 1957, while working for Piper at Adams Field, she met Doug Kendall. She often recalled that, after their first meeting in the office, he returned with flowers for her. They married in 1960 and enjoyed 55 years of love before his passing in 2016.

Marlene's greatest joy in life were her children and grandchildren, she was positively made for nurturing. For the majority of her life, she was known as the family matriarch, always referred to as "Mimi" and the hostess of all family events. She was beloved for her strong will, attitude and kindhearted nature. Her loss will be felt deeply by many.

She is survived by her daughter, Shalah Kendall Joiner; grandchildren, John Robert Carter; Lynnanne Carter; Thad Carter; James (Jay) Douglas Joiner & Yessica Joiner; Melissa Lee Joiner & Oussama Makhoul and Jolie Kendall Dover & Jacob Dover; great-grandchildren, Nicholas Elliot; Eva Rose Carter; Macy Kendall Carter; Josiah Dover and Jeremiah Dover.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Auburn Douglas Kendall; sister, Dorothy Rogers; son, Robert Lynn Carter and daughter, Melissa "Missy" Lee Kendall.

A memorial service will be held at St. Paul United Methodist Church, 2223 Durwood Rd, Little Rock, Arkansas on August 19, 2023 at 2:30 pm.

Donations may be made in Mimi's honor to CARE for Animals, https://www.careforanimals.org/.

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