Marilyn Crowson Smith, age 82, loving mother of five, and wife of Terry Smith, passed away in the early morning of July 25, 2024.
Marilyn was born on July 20, 1942, in Piggott, Arkansas. She was the daughter of the late Charles “Dallas” Crowson and Dale Crowson. She was the youngest sibling of Joyce Crowson Hunter and Kenneth Crowson.
Marilyn married the love of her life, Terry Smith on April 19, 1963. As a mother to five children and a grandmother to many, Marilyn embodied the true essence of family. Her love knew no bounds, and she poured her heart into creating lasting memories for her grandchildren, from sleepovers to special “grandkids only” trips. She suffered from a stroke just as she was getting into the grandmother role. Her physical condition limited the number of adventures she was able to have with the grandkids and that was probably the hardest part of her limitations for her to accept. The grandkids are blessed to have special memories of beach vacations, mountain adventures, and lots of good times with their Mamaw.
She was a very supportive mother to her children and showed them how to achieve their dreams by fulfilling her lifelong dream to become a nurse. She graduated from West Texas A&M University with her Bachelor of Nursing degree in 1994. She was able to pursue her dream after she raised all her children. Her love of nursing started at the tender age of 14 when she worked at the Piggott Hospital beside her mother. She reflected on her time at the hospital with amazement at what she was allowed to do at such a young age. The experience at the hospital led her to want to pursue a career in nursing but were postponed by motherhood. After graduating with her nursing degree, she worked in the psychiatric unit in Plainview, Texas, and really enjoyed that aspect of nursing. She later moved to Lubbock where she found a fulfilling job training Headstart staff across the country. She thrived in this position and found her niche in nursing. She made many friends and enjoyed traveling around the country. Unfortunately, her nursing career was cut short due to health issues which caused her to retire early from her nursing career.
Her health issues did not slow her down initially and she was very strong and valued her independence. She was always determined to do things for herself. When anyone else would have broken, Marilyn stayed strong. Through her, we know what resilience and perseverance truly look like.
She was preceded in death by her husband Terry; son Todd, parents Charles “Dallas” and Dale Crowson; brother Kenneth Crowson; sister-in-law Alice Crowson and brother-in-law Glen Hunter.
She is survived by her sister Joyce Hunter: children: Donna Bryan, Fain Smith and wife Donna, Tabbi Wischkaemper and husband Marc and Brandi DeLong, Eleven grandchildren, and numerous great-grandchildren.
As we bid farewell to Marilyn, we take comfort in knowing that she is reunited with her beloved husband Terry, and their son Todd, as well as her parents and other loved ones who have gone before her. Though she may no longer be with us in person, Marilyn’s spirit will forever remain in our hearts.
To the staff of Slaton Care Center and Beyond Faith Hospice, we extend our heartfelt gratitude for the love and support you provided to Marilyn during her time in your care.
In closing, let us remember Marilyn not with sadness, but with joy for the beautiful life she lived and the love she shared with each of us. May her memory continue to inspire us to embrace every moment with grace, love, and unwavering strength.
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