Marilyn Garrison

Marilyn Louise Garrison was born on December 11, 1939 to Carl Ray and Cora Juanita Castetter in Indianapolis, Indiana. She passed from this life on August 25, 2022, in Hennessey, Oklahoma, at the age of 82.

She met Rev. Jack Garrison at a UPCI General Conference in Indianapolis, Indiana, and they began dating in 1958. They married October 29, 1965 and were married for almost 56 years.

Marilyn attended the Calvary Tabernacle Christian School, and was the school’s first graduate in 1958.

While attending Calvary Tabernacle, Marilyn was an active member of the choir, and a women’s trio directed by Bro. Hugh Rose. She was a gifted vocalist and pianist, learning from her role model Sis. Jean Urshan.

After graduation, Marilyn worked in the offices of The United States Navy until 1965 when she married Rev. Jack Garrison and relocated to Enid, Oklahoma.

As a new pastor’s wife, she fell in love with the city of Enid and its people. She poured herself into the work of Lord; leading the music in the church, directing plays and musicals, teaching classes and Bible studies, making and delivering peanut brittle, visiting the sick, picking up kids for Sunday School, overseeing church fundraisers, banquets and dinners, and faithfully standing beside her husband and pastor at every Youth Rally, Fellowship Meeting and other sectional and district events.

Marilyn worked and served in the Enid community for most of her life. She was employed full-time at the Social Security Administration office as a claims analyst. She retired from the SSA office with 20 plus years of service. While working full-time, serving as a Pastor’s wife, and raising three children, she also found time to volunteer. She volunteered her time delivering Meals on Wheels, and regularly volunteered with the Oklahoma Election Board.

Not only did she serve her local church, but she served the Oklahoma District United Pentecostal Church as well. From teaching classes at youth camp, overseeing the concession stand grill at camp meeting, directing the camp choir, selling sno cones, helping in the kitchen, cleaning the dorms. She was not afraid of work, and her hand was busy in areas all over the campground and the state.

For many years she served the ladies in the Oklahoma District. First, she served as the Section Six Ladies Ministries Secretary, then as the Section Six Ladies Ministries President. Then she was elected as the Oklahoma District Ladies Ministries Secretary, and a few years later was elected as the Oklahoma District Ladies Ministries President. She served on the Ladies Retreat Committee, planned district ladies meetings, and Mother’s Memorial Rallies. She was always thinking of ways to raise money for their causes: appliances for missionary wives, birthday cards for missionary kids, stocking the camp store and constant improvements on the campground. The poem she wrote for one such fundraiser, “Pennies Please,” is remembered by many.

Those left to cherish Marilyn’s memory are her three daughters: Carla (Mike) Humphrey of Plymouth, IN; Vonda (Danny) Jones of Broken Arrow, OK; and Devra (Quentin) Boyd of Owasso, OK. Her nine grandchildren: Tyler, Mykelle, Jarryn, and Carson Humphrey; Morgan, Conner and Madison Jones; Jackson and Colton Boyd. Her two great-grandchildren: Ellie Grace and Ezra Leon. And several nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her father Carl Castetter; her mother Cora Castetter; two brothers: Marion Castetter and Ronald Castetter; her husband of 55 years, Jack Garrison, and grandson Kendall Jones.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held 11:00 am, Saturday, September 3, 2022 at Oakwood Christian Church. Burial will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation with friends and family will be Friday, September 2, 2022 from 5-7 pm at Enid United Pentecostal Church, 1168 E Chestnut Ave, Enid, OK 73701.

The family would like to thank you for your love, support and prayers during this difficult time. Your calls, cards, texts, visits and prayers throughout the two years of her illness are so appreciated. Memorial contributions, in Marilyn’s honor, may be made to the Enid United Pentecostal Church Building Program, through Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home.

“Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and has professed a good profession before many witnesses.” ~ I Timothy 6:12

SPECIAL REQUEST: Marilyn loved bright colors, and especially jewel tones. For those planning to attend her “celebration of life,” the family requests that you wear something bright, in her honor.