Marilyn Jean Laughbaum was born in Oklahoma City on May 30, 1934. Her mother was Sara Louise Smith, 1910-1999. Her father was H. Kirk Laughbaum, Sr., 1903-1998. Her paternal grandparents, who came to Oklahoma Territory in 1907, were Horatio Thurston Laughbaum, 1869-1952, and Mary Ann Kirk Laughbaum, 1876-1951. Marilyn will be buried with them and her brother, Kirk, Jr. in the family plot at Rose Hill Burial Park. Her maternal grandparents were James Hardin Smith, Sr., 1880-1953, and Eliza Gertrude Cox Smith, 1877-1966. John R. Hendrick is her first cousin.

Marilyn attended Wilson Elementary, Northeast Junior High and Northeast Senior High. Besides being a National Honor Society member, she was an avid participant and supporter of school sports.

In 1952 she enrolled in Oklahoma City University. During those years she was a member of the golf team, participated in Keshena Kapers, served on the yearbook staff and belonged to Alpha Chi Omega sorority. To help support herself, she worked at Tipton Photo as liaison with college newspapers and yearbooks. With the High School Athletic Association, she helped process persons coming to be referees and umpires. In 1956 she graduated with a degree in secondary and Christian education. Between 1956 and 1959 she took graduate courses in history and counseling at O.U. Marilyn's first full time job was teaching history at Grant Junior High School. She followed that with a position in the Oklahoma City Independent School District working with dropouts.

Then came the call that launched Marilyn into a lifetime of service as a director of Christian education in the Presbyterian Church. From 1958 until 1963 she was the Christian educator at St. Andrew Presbyterian Church of Oklahoma City. Next there was a position with the Synod of Oklahoma of the Presbyterian Church in which she traveled the state to train and encourage Christian work in congregations, 1963-1964. She went on to become educator at the Greystone Presbyterian Church OKC, 1964-1970, the First Presbyterian Church of Greenville, Mississippi, 1971-1977, Hillwood Presbyterian Church, Nashville Tennessee, 1977-1979, First Presbyterian Church, St. Petersburg, Florida, 1979-1986, First Presbyterian Church Oklahoma City, 1987-1990, and then First Presbyterian Church, Midwest City from 1990-1999 from which she retired.

While Marilyn was an expert in curriculum-building, she also contributed regularly to the educational ministry of her denomination at the presbytery, synod and General Assembly levels.

Her service as a Certified Christian Educator was recognized when she was chosen by her denomination as DCE of the year in 1971. In 1968 she was elected to a life membership in the Presbyterian Women's organization. Over a several year period she was featured in Who's Who of American Women. Along with her mother, she was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

Her major contribution and greatest satisfaction came from the positive ways in which she influenced the children and youth among whom she ministered. Many of them stayed in touch with her over the years and frequently expressed appreciation for the role she played in their spiritual journey.

Over the last decades of her life Marilyn's parents, Sara and Kirk, were in residence with her in the various cities where she served. As their years advanced and their health deteriorated her care for each went from casual to complex. She bore this heavy burden with cheerfulness and love!

Marilyn was a survivor of the 1999 tornado which devastated Midwest City. A news release read as follows, "As the storm approached, Marilyn lowered the hospital bed of her invalid mother, and covered her with blankets and pillows. She kissed her goodbye and ran for the nearby tub. Moments later, the roof was blown off the house. The garage collapsed on her car. Front walls and windows were blown in. Water and debris covered almost everything. Amazingly, Marilyn and her mother came through without a scratch."

In retirement Marilyn has continued to serve as an elder in her congregation, often chairing committees and always driving to bring people to church. Many will remember her for the way she welcomed friends, families and church groups into her lovely home.

Marilyn has arranged for The Urban Mission (https://urbanmissionokc.org/donate) and Austin Seminary (https://www.austinseminary.edu/support) to receive special gifts. Those desiring to do so might consider gifts to one of these organizations.

To recall Marilyn's life is an occasion to give thanks to God for her service to Christ and the church!

Graveside services will be held on Monday, April 20, 11:00am, in Rose Hill Burial Park.