In my Father's house are many mansions.  If it were not so

I would have told you.  I go there to prepare a place for you.

John 14:2 KJV

Marilyn's place was prepared May 8, 2021.  She was greeted at the pearly gates by our Lord, her parents, husband of 44 years Roland, brother CC Gaines, great nephew Steve Wetherington and a host of family and friends.  She was born in Ocala, FL on August 15, 1929 as Elsie Marilyn Gaines to Clifford C and Nell Miller Gaines of Crystal River, FL.  Thrilled to be a native Floridian and a huge Gator fan, she swooned over Tim Tebow but would proudly call the "Hogs" as long as they weren't playing Florida.  Talking, learning, volunteering, shopping, travel and a love of history described Marilyn.

In 1949 she earned an AA from Mars Hill, NC; worked for Bennett Law Firm as legal secretary for eighteen years in Valdosta, GA.  In 1967 she married the love of her life, James Roland Wetherington.  In 1973 they moved to Florida, earning a BA in history at the University of Florida, graduating with honors and membership in the Gold Key National Honor Society.  In 1991, she and Roland began dividing time between Florida and his native Arkansas.  In 2004, they permanently moved to Arkadelphia.  In 2011, after Roland's passing, Marilyn moved to Hot Springs, living with a cousin, continuing her volunteer work as a pink lady at the hospital.  She was surprised with a 90 ^th birthday trip to North Carolina, visiting family, going to her alma mater, Mars Hill.  She was surprised with a luncheon and visiting with a few 1949 classmates as well as her PE coach who was 95!  Then she traveled to Florida, beginning in Ocala and retracing her steps from coast to coast being surprised by long time friends along the way.  Then it was to Valdosta, GA for more surprises of long lost friends.  It was wonderful to fulfill a bucket list.

Marilyn is survived by her sister in law, Patricia Gaines, nephews, Michael (Nancy Jansen) Gaines, Casey (Susan Kaczmarczyk) Gaines, Stephen (Allen) Wetherington, niece Lisa (Walter) Smith, great nieces Sarah (Dillon) Wetherington, Megan (Dexter) Ivey, Dorothy Arenas, great nephews Jake and Josh Gaines, great great niece Adalynn Rose Ivey and another expected.  She is also survived by two 100 year old cousins, Naomi Wingate Yager who joined Marilyn on May 24, 2021 and Marjorie Holder Parrish, and their families.  Lastly, she is survived by a cousin who she introduced as her "might as well be daughter and son in law", Angela (Charles) Stanford.

A special thanks to those who wrote her, called her often and made her feel special.  To the following:  Charles Stanford, who devoted many hours a day talking to, shopping with, listening to, cooking and cleaning, making Marilyn's day very happy and exciting.  Nancy Winkle of Gratitude of Hearts in Hot Springs and her workers who tirelessly cared for Marilyn for the last nine months.  Arkansas Hospice for providing comfort and their dedication.

In lieu of flowers, make donations to Salvation Army Women's Auxillary Account, P. O. Box 729, Hot Springs, AR  71902 or Macedonia Cemetery Association, attn. Myron Crisco, 1039 E. County Line Rd, Arkadelphia, AR  71923

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, August 14, 2021, at 11:00 AM Macedonia Primitive Baptist Church in Dalark.

Final arrangements are entrusted to The Welch Funeral Home of Arkadelphia.