Marilyn Joyce Ollison

Marilyn Joyce Williams Ollison was born into this life on June 3, 1954, in Camden, Arkansas to the union of Joe, Sr., and Lady Olevia Williams. She was the baby girl of the family. She was raised in Sparkman and united with Harmony Missionary Baptist Church at a tender age.

She was a 1972 graduate of Sparkman High School and later attended Ouachita Baptist University, where she made several friends and acquaintances. Marilyn never met a stranger, and her soft-spoken disposition drew others to her.  She married Roy Ollison in 1980 and together they provided a God-fearing and stable home for their children, James, Vanessa, Renea and LeKeisha.

Marilyn worked several jobs throughout her life: Twin Rivers, Hospitality Care Center, Petit Jean Poultry, Rainbow of Challenges and lastly, she worked as a senior companion with the Area on Agency. With a youthful spirit and exuberance, she loved dancing in the company of her family, smiling and clapping her hands. She was a soul food “boiling pots” cooking type of woman. Her dressing, greens, chicken and dumplings was an all-time favorite and her homemade sweet tea and banana pudding was her prized staple.

She worked out at Foundation Fitness making her mind, body, and soul a top priority; she enjoyed gardening and shopping. Her favorite pastime was talking on the telephone and being on FaceTime with family and friends. She accepted Christ and was saved under the leadership of the late Pastor Paul and Mother Mildred Williams while attending Williams Temple in Sparkman, Arkansas, in 2002. She loved the Lord as was ready to serve wherever needed to assist in the ministry. She later became a faithful member of Victory Temple C.O.G.I.C., under the leadership of Pastor Darryl and Lady Vanessa Maxwell, where she served on the mother’s board, on the hospitality committee and as a former choir member.

Marilyn surrendered her soul on Friday, November 26, 2021 at Baptist Health Medical Center in Little Rock. She was preceded in death by her parents, Joe Williams, Sr., and Lady Olevia Turner Williams; and her siblings, Joe Williams, Jr., Norma B. Johnson, Geneva Bost, Douglas Williams, and Thomas Williams.

Her life was full and she was truly sincere in heart. The memory of her existence will forever be woven into the lives of those who were blessed to know her. She leaves four children, James A. (Shaketha) Whyte) of Sparkman AR, Vanessa S. (Darryl) Maxwell of Sparkman, AR, Marilyn R. Ollison of Milwaukee, WI and LeKeisha N. Ollison of Arkadelphia, AR; twelve grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren; one sister, Dorothy Juniel of Fordyce, AR and one brother, LeeAndrew Williams of Camden, AR. She also leaves nieces, nephews, other relatives, several friends, and the Victory Temple COGIC family.

A service of celebration will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 4, 2021 at Harmony Missionary Baptist Church with Pastor Darryl Maxwell, eulogist and Superintendent LeRoy Williams, officiant. Interment will be at Mt. Carmel Cemetery. Public viewing will be Friday, December 3, 2021 from 1:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at Williams Funeral Home with the family receiving friends from 7:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m.

Active pallbearers will be Jeffrey Berry, Doug Berry, Mark Buggs, Gary Berry, Michael Johnson and Coy Hughes. Honorary pallbearers will be Elder J.B. Bailey and Deacon Donald Williams.