Marilyn Rose Ward, age 81, of Sweetwater, passed away October 9, 2024, at Sweetwater Hospital. She was born January 30, 1943, to A.C. Ward and Nelle Kennedy Ward, of the Sewee Community, Northwest McMinn County, TN. Marilyn was a graduate of Sweetwater High School, Tennessee Wesleyan College and received her master’s degree from the University of Tennessee- Knoxville in English. Marilyn was a member of Sewee Church in Niota since childhood. Among her activities were Sewee Church Missionary Society and former pianist, as well as, sharing her lovely singing voice in worship. She was a member of Rhea-Craig Chapter, Tennessee Society NSDAR for 49 years, serving as Corresponding Sec., Recording Sec., Chapter Registrar and Parliamentarian. Marilyn was a former member of the Sweetwater Home Demonstration Club and the Monroe County Home Demonstration Club. She primarily devoted her life to the diligent care of her parents, especially caring for her mother, Nelle, who lived to the age of 105. Marilyn’s faith in God was to be admired as a lifelong student of the Bible. She enjoyed many interests and had a persevering spirit. Reading, needle work, gardening, painting, family history, Sewee Church history, and sightseeing trips are among interests she has cultivated through the years. In small and in larger ways, her kind, sensitive spirit has made enriching contributions to her church and community.

Preceded in death by her beloved parents: A.C. Ward and Nelle Kennedy Ward; sister, Alma Ward Sliger; great-nephew: Garrett Evan Grizzle; niece Lisa Daun Sliger; grandparents: James Lafayette “Fate” and Mary Effie Simpson Kennedy; three uncles: Howard, Ben and Bruce Kennedy; aunt: Mary Faye Kennedy Griswold.

Survivors are her nephew, Randall W. Sliger; niece, Melissa S. Sutherland and (Camden); great nephew; Ethan E. Barrett, niece, Emilee S. Elliott and (Steve); several cousins to include, Winona Kennedy Pless; Julia Pless; and other cherished family members and friends. Pallbearers will be Ethan Barrett, Camden Sutherland, Ricky Crabtree, Jay Sokolow, Keith Thompson and Tim Griswold.

Friends may come to pay their respects at Kyker Funeral Home, Sweetwater on October 15th from 1:00pm – 2:00pm, service to follow at 2:00pm in Kyker’s Chapel with Rev. Linda Parton officiating. Interment will follow in the West View Cemetery in Sweetwater.