Obituary for Marilyn Goforth

Marilyn Rae Goforth

October 4, 1939 – June 20, 2024

Marilyn Rae Goforth, 84, was born to Ray and Dorothy Kirby of Lamont, Oklahoma on October 4, 1939, and joined Jesus on June 20, 2024.

Marilyn attended Banner Country School and graduated in 1957 from Lamont High School. She attended Oklahoma State University for two years. It was during her sophomore year when her roommate introduced her to the love of her life, Arlie Goforth. Arlie and Marilyn were married two years later on August 28, 1960; they celebrated 64 years of marriage. Both Arlie and Marilyn said their wedding day was their most favorite day. Not long after their treasured day, they welcomed the first of three beautiful daughters. Sherry joined their world in December 1961, Shelly came along in September 1964, and Sheila completed their family in March 1967. Together they raised their three girls in Medford, Oklahoma.

It is no secret that God blessed Marilyn with the gift of teaching. Combining her God-given teaching talents with her unwavering love for kids, she answered the call to be a teacher. She graduated from Northwestern State University, and became an elementary teacher in the Medford school system for over 20 years. During her time in the classroom she touched the lives of other teachers through her friendship and wisdom, and she left an unsurmountable impact on the many children who were blessed to sit in her classroom.

Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents, Ray and Dorothy Kirby, three sisters: Donna Jean Tebow, Barbara Duvall, and Nadean Robison, one grandchild; Brittany Running, and one son-in-law; Glen Running. She awaits the arrival of her husband; Arlie Goforth of Perry, OK, daughters: Sherry (Don Collier) Mounds, OK, Shelly Running Perry, OK, and Sheila (David Shaffer) North Richland Hills, TX, seven grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren: Jennifer (Travis Brown, Adelyn & Owen) League City, TX, Danielle (Adam Petty, Oliver) Owasso, OK, Ashley (Kenneth Ma) Dallas, TX, Bryson (Erin Goforth, Maddox, Harper, Holden, Jaxon, Hudson) Chesapeake, VA, Brayley (Jade Running, Tinley, Georgia, Gundersen) Piedmont, OK, Bailey (Austin Jarvis, Levi & Raegan) Kearny, NE, and Brooklyn Running Edmond, OK, brother; Gary Kirby (Barbara) Owasso, OK, brother-in-law; Jack Duvall of Colorado among many other family members and dear friends. It will be a wonderous day when we all meet her again in Heaven.

Marilyn lived her life with a servant’s heart befriending and comforting many throughout the years. For example, she showed a true servant’s heart through her love of cooking; people never walked out of her house hungry. She served countless church dinners, brought much laughter to many card parties and family functions, and set a standard of love that will impact her family for many generations to come.

Marilyn has given comforting advice to many friends and family; this did not stop just because she left this world. Scrolled on a note in her Bible were these words, “When Death one day comes for me, I shall go with a smile on my face, a hallelujah on my lips and no fear in my heart as my God will be coming for me and where I will be going no more troubles will I ever see. Amen!”

A Celebration of Life will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, June 25, 2024, at the First Christian Church in Perry. The burial will take place at the Lamont Cemetery. Visitation will be Monday, June 24, 2024 from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Trout Funeral Home of Perry. Arrangements are under the direction of Trout Funeral Home of Perry, 1408 N 7th St, Perry, OK 73077.

Source: Trout Funeral Home