Marjorie Marilyn Chaney Norris White passed away Easter Sunday, March 31, 2024 at Belle Meade Nursing Home in Paragould, Arkansas. She was diagnosed with dementia.  Marilyn was born in Imboden, Arkansas in 1933.  She lived in Walnut Ridge with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. A.L. (Pat) Chaney and sister, Patsy Jo (Pat) Chaney Burns.

Marilyn was a student in her mother's 5th grade classroom at Walnut Ridge Elementary School.  In high school, she was a high spirited Bobcat cheerleader and an avid, active basketball player.

After graduation from Walnut Ridge High School, she married William T. (Jack) Norris at the First United Methodist Church in Walnut Ridge in 1950.  She remained a member of the same church until her death at 90 years of life.

In remembrance of the couple, Jack and Marilyn were the King and Queen of local Jitterbug.  People stopped and stared at the happily dancing duo for many years to come.

They moved to Kansas City, Missouri where both were successful in securing employment, and were blessed with the birth of Patricia Marie in 1951.  During the family life in Kansas City and later Overland Park, Kansas, Marilyn worked and began to learn the procedures and skills of mortgage loan recording and deed preparation through the real estate and attorney's office in which she was employed. She was eager to learn, worked exceptionally hard, never afraid of long hours or bringing work home.  She was a true "social butterfly", could talk to anyone and everyone and happily did so.

They were blessed again with the birth of another daughter, Kelley Jo on June 13, 1962.  Marilyn treasured all people she called "family" but especially her two girls.  She frequently got "into trouble" with Jack for spending way too much money on all those prissy clothes.

Jack's job promotion proudly took the family to Columbus Ohio.  In 1965, in front of their home, they lost their "little angel" Kelley Jo.  After that tragic loss, Jack and Marilyn yearned for the chance to return to "The Land of Opportunity" and the many relatives and friends in and around the Walnut Ridge area.

An employment prospect arose for Jack through the garment companies, Fashion built and Betty Rose, which would necessitate a transfer to Arkansas.  Jack, Marilyn and Pat (Patty to them) moved to Walnut Ridge.

Marilyn furthered her education by taking several courses at Arkansas State University.  The truth be known…she was likely trying to set a motherly example for her very teenage daughter.

Later, Marilyn moved to Memphis, Tennessee where she worked for Leader Federal Savings and Loan, and Walt, Dyer, and James Law Firm, as a high respected mortgage loan closer.  She proudly attended the Dale Carnegie Public Speaking Institute.  She was subsequently employed by the city of Memphis in the Housing Community Development office.

Ultimately, she chose to return to her parents' home to care for her ailing and aging beloved mother, Pauline Chaney.  Pauline died in 2008. Marilyn remained in her childhood home.

She was struggling with an array of problematic concerns involving multiple hospitalizations at various health facilities.  Eventually, she became an elder resident of Belle Meade Nursing Home in Paragould, Arkansas.

In addition to her parents, Marilyn was preceded in death by her husband William Thomas (Jack) Norris; and her daughter, Kelley Jo Norris.

Marilyn is survived by her daughter, Patricia (Pat) Norris Cannon; sister, Patsy Jo (Pat) Burns (Phil) of Germantown, TN; nephew Joe Burns (Heather) of Birmingham, AL; niece Heather Burns Ford (Kenny) Paragould; grandchildren, Stephanie Lea Porter and Kendall Nicole Reece; great-grandchildren, Leah Renee Porter, Kayla Marie Porter, Chief William Gabriel Porter, Kenneth (Kenny) Mack Reece; and great-great grandchild, Everly Grace Porter; and many other great nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life will be held Saturday, April 13, 2024, 3 p.m., at Cox Funeral Home in Walnut Ridge. All arrangements are under the direction of Cox Funeral Home in Walnut Ridge.

Memorials may be made to Hope Cemetery, P.O. Box 401, Imboden, Arkansas 72434.