Marlene Ashley

The family of Marlene Ashley will host a gathering of family and friends from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM on Tuesday, July 23, 2024, at Lake Ridge Chapel and Memorial Designers. A service to celebrate her life of 71 years is scheduled at 1:00 PM on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, at Bethany Baptist Church, followed by a graveside service at Resthaven Memorial Park Cemetery. Our Lord called her home on her 71st birthday, Wednesday, July 17, 2024.

Marlene was born July 17, 1953, to Gair and Helen Sparkman in Elkhart, KS where she lived her childhood and teenage years growing up in Keyes, OK, along with her two brothers Dennis & Gary and her “favorite sister”, Starla on their family farm. She loved most working outside with her Daddy, helping with the animals, tend the crops, and ride the tractor in the field. She also loved attending Truckload Fabric Sales in the “big city” where she, her mother, and her sister, Starla, would pick their favorite fabrics. Then they would eagerly arrive back home, turn on gospel music, and sew their inspired articles of clothing together. Later in life, Marlene turned into quite the seamstress as she made clothing for her own children and for her grandchildren including handmade blankets, bibs and a multitude of alterations at a moments notice for those she loved.

Marlene attended First Baptist Church, in Elkhart KS where she accepted the Lord as her Savior at an early age. Her parents, Gair and Helen, always remained faithful to ensure the family was in church and under the preaching of the gospel. Marlene attended Yarborough High School where she graduated in 1971. Though never standing taller than 5’3”, she was voted by faculty and classmates: “Basketball Queen” and also “Most Favorite” which is no surprise. She was known for being full of life and fun as she brought laugher with her humor and wit! She graduated from Bob Jones University with her Bachelors of Science with a major of Home Economics in 1976. Marlene’s desire and plan in life was to be a mother and homemaker, and to make and give of her hands, heart and talents. After college, she worked as a Bible teacher at Grace Christian Academy.

Marlene married Mark Ashley in 1978 and they resided in Amarillo, TX and were faithful members of Arden Road Baptist Church where she sang alto in the choir for what was just shy of 40 years. She was blessed with her most precious possessions, her four children. (Three adored sons Jarrod, Aaron and John and the much prayed for daughter, Audra). While married, and with her family complete, Marlene carried out her dream of being a wife, mother and homemaker effortlessly. From every homemade meal, baking and custom decorating every birthday cake, kissing booboo’s and mending unimaginable amounts of uniforms and costumes, she did so with joy and song through Christ’s love that was felt by her family. She enjoyed sharing her strengths and abilities with others as she cared for children at her in home daycare. After presented an unexpected divorce, Marlene never wavered in her faith and incredible strength for our Lord and for her family. Marlene’s courage and ability to carry on was second to none. While faced with unimaginable hardships as a single mother, Marlene continued selflessly providing for her children and remained faithful to ensure she and her four children would never miss a Sunday morning and evening worship service, Monday night visitation to share the gospel, Wednesday evening service or Friday Youth. When the doors were open, she was sure to have her family in church.

Whether she was working in the church nursery, leading as a Sunday School teacher, making her own lessons, felt boards and cutouts or teaching in Awanas, Marlene was always sharing the gospel to those around her. Throughout the years of her life, Marlene was always sure to share the word of God no matter what situation she found herself in. Whether leaving a tip to a waitress with a gospel tract, or texting Scriptures to her children and grandchildren weekly, even up to the last day of her passing, it was not uncommon to find Marlene morning or evening, walking her neighborhood passing out tract’s or announcements of upcoming church events. Marlene’s friends and family abundantly testify how she was often their phone call of encouragement and Godly wisdom. She had a way of listening and sharing Scripture and prayer in many ways.

She began substitute teaching for Amarillo ISD before later beginning her career in Nutrition at WIC where she would retire after over 20 years in 2016. After retirement she relocated to Lubbock, TX where she continued care for her Mother and her most rewarding career as a full time Grandma! She began caring for and further spoiling her grandchildren while residing in Lubbock and enjoyed being able to do the same as she traveled to San Antonio and California. She continued serving the Lord as a faithful Member of Bethany Baptist Church, in Lubbock TX where the Lord would later call her home while singing a congregational hymn “O Zion Haste” on her 71st birthday.

At the bottom of the first page of Marlenes Bible she has handwritten:
“What a Day That WILL BE -Glorious Day When My Jesus I shall see.”
Marlene will be remembered as a virtuous Proverbs 31 Woman. For her price is far above rubies, she seeketh wool and flax and worrketh willingly with her hands. She is like the merchant ships, she bringeth her food from afar. She riseth also while it is yet night and giveth meat to her household and a portion to her maidens. She condisidereth a field and buyeth it with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. She girdeth her loins with strength and strength with her arms. She perceiveth that her merchandise is good, her candle goeth not out by night. She layeth her hands to the spindle and her hands hold the distaff. She stretcheth out her hand to the poor, yay she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. She is not afraid of the snow for her household, for all her household are clothed with scarlet. She maketh herself coverings of tapestry, her clothing is silk and purple. She maketh fine linen and selleth it and deliverth girdles unto the merchant. Strength and honor are her clothing and she shall rejoice in time to come. She openeth her mouth with wisdom and in her tongue is the law of kindness. She looketh well to the ways of her household and eateth not the bread of idleness. Her children arise up and call her blessed. Many daughters have done virtiously but thou excellest them all. Favor is deceitful and beauty is vain. But a woman feareth the Lord, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates. Proverbs 31:10-31 KJV

Marlene is survived by her children Jarrod and wife Patricia Ashley, Aaron Ashley, John and wife Sarah Ashley, Audra and husband Matt Boedeker; grandchildren, Tyler San Miguel, Riley Ashley, Nathan Ashley, Ella Ashley, KateLynn Ashley, Halle Ashley, Chayse Ashley, Kennedy Ashley, Wyatt Ashley, Adalee Boedeker, Eden Ashley, Sammie Boedeker, Elizabeth Ashley, John Mark Ashley, Korbyn Ashley, Korey Ashley, Jack Ashley, Kassidy Ashley, Marlee Boedeker, Katalyna Ashley; great-grandchildren, Aeliyah San Miguel, and one on the way, Hope Ashley; sister, Starla and her husband Tim Overstreet.
She is preceded in death by parents, Gair and Helen Sparkman; grandson, Seth Ashley; and brothers, Dennis Sparkman, Gary Sparkman.

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