Marian Iris Hayman Ekis was born in Racine, Ohio on December 18, 1933. She graduated to heaven on January 19, 2019 while living in Bethany, Oklahoma. Marian had one sibling, a brother Paul, who went to be with Jesus in 2008. Their parents, Paul and Eva Hayman, were both ordained Nazarene ministers. The family lived in parsonages in Ohio, most notably Clyde, Fayette, Westerville, and Columbus. At times Paul and Eva co-pastored; but while living in Clyde they led two different churches. Marian married Paul Ross in 1954; their daughter Lori Ann was born in 1962. In 1964 Paul died unexpectedly. Marian and Lori were a comfort to each other and in 1967 Marian met and married Donald Ekis, who had three children: Bruce, Diane and Craig. Carolyn Sue was born in 1969. Marian loved Jesus. She taught Sunday School at the Nazarene church in Canton, Ohio and also sang in the choir. She raised her family to love and trust God. She had the gift of hospitality and often had church members and guests over for dinner. Her roast beef was legendary. She also kept busy sewing for her three girls and raising a large garden full of tomatoes and green beans and zucchini. (The latter could grow as large as baseball bats!) She created a beautiful home for her family in rural Ohio. Marian and Don moved to Laurinburg, North Carolina in 1980 and launched their business, Esco Transmissions. Dad managed the business and Mom did the bookwork. Shortly thereafter they helped found the first Nazarene church in the town. Mom continued to teach Sunday School and also cared for her sweet mother-in-law, Rose Ekis. In 2010, Mom and Dad moved to west Texas to be near their daughter, Carolyn. Dad passed away in July of that year. In 2014, Marian moved to Southern Plaza Retirement Center in Bethany to be near her daughter, Lori. She enjoyed spending time with Lori and her husband Dean and their daughter Aurelia. She made many good friends at Southern Plaza and enjoyed attending Portland Avenue Baptist Church when possible. Mom had the gift of encouragement. If someone was lonely or lacking a prayer partner, she would step in and lift their spirits with a verse and a kind word. She sought to be a blessing to others, and was therefore blessed herself. In fact, this truth was one of the greatest gifts she passed on to her children: that when you encourage others, you are also uplifted. Marian is survived by daughters, Diane, Lori, and Carolyn and one son, Craig, as well as ten grandchildren and five great grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Portland Avenue Baptist Churchs Childrens Ministry. Funds may be earmarked for WACK (Worship Arts Camp for Kids) or KMAK (Kids Mission Adventure Camp). Funeral services will be held at 10:00am, Thursday, January 24 at Portland Avenue Baptist Church with interment to follow in Mertzon Cemetery, Mertzon, TX. Funeral Service Portland Avenue Baptist Church Thursday, January 24, 2019 10:00 AM 1301 N. Portland Avenue Oklahoma City, OK Burial will be in Mertzon, Texas