Mrs. Marilyn Marie Maples, affectionately known as 'Smoothie" due to her beautiful smooth skin, was born June 29, 1955 in Kansas City, Missouri to the late Robert "Bobby" Mitchell and Ruth Ann Rogers. She entered into her eternal rest on Monday, February 19, 2018 at Redwood Rehabilitation Center after a brief illness.

Marilyn attended Sandford B. Ladd Elementary School and graduated from Central Senior High School in 1973. She was fond of what she called the "baddest, bodacious" Central Blue Eagles. She later attended Penn Valley Community College and entered the Insurance profession where she was employed for over thirty-five years.

Marilyn grew up as a member of St. Stephen Baptist Church and was baptized by the late Rev. John W. Williams at an early age. She was active in Sunday school, youth choir directed by the late Shirley Blakely and Florence Billingsley, BTU, YWA, and the Drum and Bugle Corps under the direction of the late Benny Wright Sr. Marilyn was also a part of a singing group "The Gospelettes". She later joined Cleveland Avenue Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. Price Ellis.

Marilyn enjoyed singing, dancing, shopping and drawing. She was an excellent cook and took delight in showing hospitality and fixing the family's favorite meals like macaroni and cheese, sweet potatoes, baked beans and ham. She loved gospel and old school music which we enjoyed singing on mom's front porch. She kept everyone laughing, had a great sense of humor and served others unselfishly. Marilyn was extremely fond of her children, nephews, and nieces always offering words of wisdom and advice. Her beloved dog "Chewy" was also her pride and joy.

Marilyn was such an amazing wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, cousin, aunt and friend. She went above and beyond to help anyone in need. She wanted everyone to know that she was "funny and fun." Marilyn had a servant's heart and made an impact on others wherever she went. She also told the family that she was good because she is saved. This describes her strong faith and relationship with the Lord. Marilyn will be truly missed by her family, friends and all whose lives she touched during the sixty-two years God granted her on this earth. We were blessed to spend a lot of time with Marilyn and will cherish those precious memories forever. Sister Barbara often said to Marilyn, "God is going to make you brand new." Praise God that her soul is now gone to be with the Lord and she has been made brand new. No more suffering or pain.

Marilyn was preceded in death by her mother, Ruth Ann Rogers; paternal and maternal grandparents, "Grandpa "and Flossie Brake, and Henry and Alberta Rogers.

She leaves behind to cherish her memories: her husband of thirty-eight years, Kenneth Allen Maples; sons, Kenneth Maples ll, Kevin Maples, and Keith Maples; father who raised her, Clyde L. Rogers (Claudette); brother, Robert Mitchell; sisters, Barbara Freeman, Brenda Powell (Cyruss) of Arlington, TX, Emma Hancock (Glenn), Ruth Jones (Floyd), and Alberta Boggs (Fred) of Wiggins, MS; sister-in-law, Betty Davis; and a host of stepchildren, grandchildren, nephews, nieces, other relatives and friends.