Marilyn Paige (Call) McMahan

Marilyn Paige Call McMahan, 93, of Barling, passed away peacefully, surrounded by love, at her home on December 26th. She was born on May 31, 1931, in Piggott, AR, to Minnie Custer Call and Joseph Edwin Call. She was raised by her mother in St. Louis, MO, spending summers and holidays with her father in Greenville, MS.

Just before graduating high school, Marilyn reluctantly agreed to a blind date arranged by friends with a handsome Air Force Staff Sergeant named William (Bill) McMahan. The two hit it off, continued dating, and married on a snowy evening in St. Louis on December 5th, 1950. One year later, the happy couple moved to Barling, Bill’s hometown, where he had secured a job at Fort Chaffee. Marilyn immediately loved Bill’s family, and they her. Marilyn always said she loved Barling from the start and never wanted to be anywhere else. It was there that they raised their family and lived the rest of their lives.

From a very young age, Marilyn had dreams of becoming a doctor, but with little financial means, this was almost an impossibility for a young woman in 1949. It was later possible for her to pursue nursing school from which she graduated in 1967. She practiced nursing at the old St. Edward Hospital in Fort Smith. Marilyn was instrumental in starting Barling’s first Senior Activity Center, where she served as the Director. She and Bill were active members of the Order of the Eastern Star for many years and were devoted supporters of “The Good Ol’ Boys” country music show, where Bill and she loved to sing.

Marilyn was a faithful Christian and an active church member for many years. She had a beautiful voice and, throughout the years, was a member of the church choir and served as a Sunday School teacher and Vacation Bible School teacher. Even when she could not attend church because of difficulty hearing, she could be found on Sundays watching “her preachers” on television and continued to honor Sundays as a holy day of rest. Though she was devoted to many things, the most important in her life were God, her husband, children, grandchildren, dear friends, and her warm, welcoming home. She was happiest when gathered around the dining room table playing games with her beloved grandchildren. She was truly the perfect example of selflessness and love—except at the game table, where she showed no mercy to anyone.

Marilyn loved rocking in her yard swing on warm days while visiting with family and friends. She enjoyed lunch on the porch while watching for the mailman. She delighted in planning meals for her family, working jigsaw puzzles, collecting foreign money, watching western movies, and snacking on popcorn and black walnut ice cream. She was curious, inquisitive, quirky, friendly, and had the most beautiful smile, which she was happy to tell you were all her real teeth! She was truly one of a kind and will be sorely missed.

Marilyn was preceded in death by William, her husband of 72 years, and her sisters, Bobbie Jean Call and Jojuan Call Redwine.

Left to cherish her memory are her son, David McMahan of Mountainburg; her grandson, raised as her son, Aaron McMahan (Allie) of Havelock, NC; and her daughter, Valerie McMahan Nichols (Dale) of Barling. Also grieving her loss are her grandchildren; Olivia Humphrey Pate of Fayetteville, AR, Shanna Stewart Frazier of Pocola, OK, Hannah Arterberry Ellis (Levi) of Antlers, OK, Sally Harmon Webb (Michael) of Lowell, AR and William Harmon (MarieClaire) of Grand Junction, CO; as well as her great-grandchildren; John David and Justice Norris (Helena), Nikea Newton (Delaney), Makenna, Makhia and Nariah Stewart, Ayden McMahan, Georgia Webb, and Henry Harmon; and one great-great-granddaughter, Kehlani Norris. She is also survived by one sister, Sallie Thompson of Ellisville, MO, and a host of adored nieces, nephews, and friends.

Our family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the nurses and doctors of Mercy 3500 and Hospice for the excellent care given to our loved one, and us, at such a difficult time.

A celebration of life for Marilyn and Bill will be held at a later date.

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