MARILYN MARIE NOLES
On Saturday, February 27, 2021, Marilyn Marie Noles, loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend, went home to be with the Lord at the age of 78. The world is a little dimmer with her passing, but the stars are shining brighter with her spirit among them.
Marilyn was born on June 19, 1942, in Tonkawa, Oklahoma to Walter and Ednus Bewley, the younger sister of Ken, Jack, and Don Bewley. Marilyn grew up in Tonkawa, graduating from Tonkawa High School. On August 19, 1961, she married Tommy Jan Noles. Marilyn and Tom spent most of their 60-year marriage living in Edmond, Oklahoma, where they raised two daughters, Juli and Paige, and one son, Tommy Jon. Marilyn was heavily involved in the lives of their five grandchildren, Megan, Molly, Colton, Mallory, and Trenton, who knew her as “Nana”. In 2020, Marilyn and Tom celebrated the arrival of their first great-grandchild, Stevie Lynn Foreman-Brackett, and were eagerly awaiting the arrival of great-grandchild number two, Daniel Elmore Lawton.
Marilyn devoted her life to serving God by serving His people. She was a faithful mother and grandmother, often driving hours roundtrip with Tom to watch one athletic event or dance recital. She never missed an opportunity to share the many ways her children and their families were making her proud, whether in their careers, academics, extracurriculars, life milestones, or just by being her family. Marilyn’s gentle nature and warm smile could put anyone at ease. She made everyone feel like the most important person in the room just by her genuine interest. Marilyn cherished her relationships and embraced any chance to make a new friend, spreading the love of Christ in every encounter.
Marilyn’s heart for service led her to dedicate a significant portion of her life to volunteering in her church and community. Every week for many years, she volunteered at First Christian Church, often taking attendance for the Sunday school programs and greeting guests at the front desk. In her years attending First Christian, she served as a deacon, elder, and chairman of the board. She also served as a Stephen Minister, Bible Study Fellowship discussion leader and administrator, and, most recently, co-founder of a knitting ministry through First Presbyterian Church. Those on the receiving end of Marilyn’s knitting creations know the care and love crafted into every stocking, prayer shawl, and baby blanket made over the past 50 years.
Since childhood, Marilyn loved playing and watching sports. She played basketball, ran track, and played tennis through school. Marilyn spent many afternoons as an adult playing tennis with her friends and daughters, and her favorite teammate and competitor was Tana Wood Stufflebean, her lifelong friend, neighbor, and honorary sister. No matter how far the drive, Marilyn and Tom made every effort to cheer on their grandchildren at volleyball games, baseball tournaments, and gymnastics meets.
In addition to raising her children and supporting her grandchildren, Marilyn helped run her husband Tom’s pharmaceutical company, teaching herself how to use the computer and staying on top of the latest technology so she could manage the administrative and bookkeeping needs of the business. Tom often credited the smooth operation of his daily work to “the best secretary and best gal around.”
Marilyn was preceded in death by her grandmother Alma Gumm, with whom she was very close, as well as her parents, Walter and Ednus, her sister-in-law, Wanda Bewley, and her grandson, Hunter Lagasse. Her husband, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, brothers, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, and friends from every stage of life carry on her legacy.
A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, March 4, 2021 at First Presbyterian Church of Edmond and livestreamed at https:// fpcedmond.org/media. Her ashes will be interred at a later date at Gracelawn Cemetary. Donations and memorial con tributions may be made to the César Chávez Elementary food bank through First Presbyterian Church of Edmond.
The family would like to invite anyone who wishes to share a short story, scripture reading, or cherished memory of Marilyn to do so at the memorial service. Please contact Marilyn’s granddaughter Megan Lawton at 469-323-4510 to be added to the program.