of Conway, AR

May 30, 1947 - August 17, 2014

After more than 67 years as a faithful servant, Marilyn Roberta Bullock King went to be with her Savior on Aug. 17, 2014. She was born the morning of May 30, 1947 in Russellville.
She was preceded in death by her parents, H.S. Bullock and Minnie Artela Blair Bullock Evans, and stepfather, John Evans, all of Waldron, Arkansas; her grandparents, J.F. and Lillie Hurt Blair of Lucas, Arkansas, and George W. and Betty Gray Davis Bullock of Cameron, Oklahoma; and one daughter, Mary Katherine Talley of Conway.
Marilyn is survived by her adored, dedicated and admiring husband of 44 years, Jim King; her brother, James Harvey Bullock (Wanda) of Las Cruces, New Mexico; her sister, Lillie Artela Bullock Tyler (Bud) of Houston, Texas; three daughters, Deb Hogan (Billy) of Conway, Rita Barger (Edward) of Quitman and Tammy Jones (Terry) of Mayflower; nine grandchildren, Chad Hogan (Natalie), Kaleb Mack (Kristina), Allison Robertson (David), Lee Hogan (Jessie), Abbey Clark, John Lucas and Fayth Marilyn Jones, Matt Barger (Danitria) and Derrick Barger (Elizabeth); and eight great-grandchildren, Hannah and Gage Hogan, Addi Barger, Caitlyn Stormes, Blaine, Mary-Katherine and Liam Mack, and another to be born in February; and four nephews and two nieces.
Marilyn grew up in the small community of Lucas, Arkansas, and loved her childhood home. She spent many of her days as a kid at her Granddad Blair's store, and often spoke of the strong Christian community and the impact Pleasant Grove Baptist Church had on her life. As an adult, she always looked forward to returning home for Lucas reunions, usually to catch up with beloved friends, reminisce and brag about her family.
Marilyn was one of the most passionate and caring women this world will ever know, which is evident in her 46 years as a nurse. She cared deeply for her patients, whom she treated like family. Whether it was providing care or being a trusted confidant, Marilyn made sure they received the care they needed for their physical and spiritual well-being. To her, nursing was not a job, but her mission for the Lord. She did it with love.
That same giving, always-loving soul of Marilyn's did not stop at work. It followed her home. Marilyn - affectionately referred to as Ma by her family- cherished her roles as a daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and aunt. She viewed her family as her legacy, something in which she took deep pride.
While she was only the biological mother to one, there was no question that all four daughters belonged to her, and all four loved her without end. It took a special woman to care for, love and always be available to four children and her husband. That woman was Ma.
Blessed with a delightful sense of humor as well as a loving heart, there were few things she enjoyed more than spoiling her grandkids and great-grandkids. A weekend spent at Poppy and Ma's was sure to include two things: Falling asleep to her soft, calming voice as she told several Bible stories from memory, and waking up to the smell of breakfast and the sound of old gospel hymns on an A.M. radio.
Marilyn's life was centered on serving her Lord through her church, First Baptist Church in Mayflower. It was not uncommon for her to spend hours a day there, multiple times a week. Whether it was playing the piano, singing in the choir, teaching Sunday School, going to church camp with the kids, leading the Children's Ministry or just worshiping her Lord, she always found happiness in being surrounded by her church family. Her servant's heart never stopped shining for God.
She was a petite woman, standing about 5-foot tall, but Marilyn never met a person who could tell her no. Not a bone in her body was of the threatening or imposing nature. Instead, it was her gentle, kind-hearted requests that always had the ability to get the job done. Make no mistake about it, people didn't say yes simply because they couldn't say no - although they never could - they said yes because they loved and cherished Marilyn and found themselves wanting to please her.
Most consider death to be a dark, depressing and intimidating event in life, but not Marilyn. When her time came, she approached the situation with the same faithfulness, courage and understanding that was the foundation of her entire life - God is in control. Surrounded by her family, she left this imperfect, fading life for her eternal place of rest with her Lord, with a heart full of joy.
Visitation will be 5:30-8 p.m. Wednesday at First Baptist Church in Mayflower at 4 Arkansas 89 North.
A funeral service is scheduled for 2 p.m. Thursday, also at First Baptist Church in Mayflower. Pallbearers will be Billy Hogan, Terry Jones, Edward Barger, Chad Hogan, Kaleb Mack, Lee Hogan, John Lucas Jones, Gage Hogan, David Robertson, Matt Barger and Derrick Barger. David Fox and Ken Reece will officiate the ceremony.
In lieu of flowers, Marilyn's family asks those who loved her to make a donation to either First Baptist Church of Mayflower or the Parkinson's Disease Support Group of Faulkner County.

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