Marilyn Ruth (Potter) Smith was born to Steve A. Potter and Ruth (Taylor) Potter December 1, 1940, in Red Top, Missouri.

Marilyn graduated from Buffalo, MO High School in May 1958 and one month later, June 15, 1958, at the age of 17, married her high school sweetheart, M. Larry Smith at First Christian Church, Buffalo, MO. Their marriage was blessed with 3 children, Larry Paul, Lisa Lynn, and Timothy Michael. Shortly after Larry graduated from Missouri University, Columbia, the family moved to Ash Grove, MO where he was employed as the Vocational Agriculture Instructor. During 1969-1985 Marilyn and Larry co-owned and operated an OTASCO store in Ash Grove. In 1986 Marilyn returned to college and completed her B.S. in Education at MSU in Springfield, an endeavor began earlier at MU, Columbia. Marilyn subsequently earned a M.S. in Reading Education and taught for 18 years at Mt. Vernon Elementary, instructing 3 ^rd grade and serving as Title 1 reading specialist. After returning as an educator, Marilyn volunteered at the surgery waiting desk at St. John's/Mercy until Larry's health required her to attend to him full time. Marilyn was a long time, active member of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) serving on several leadership capacities, including deacon and elder.

She was preceded in death by her father, mother, one brother, Steve Potter Jr.; and her husband, M. Larry Smith.

Marilyn is survived by sons, Paul Smith (Lori Daniel), Ash Grove, MO, Tim Smith (Tracy) Purdy, MO, and daughter, Lisa Wallace (Allen) Willard, MO.  Grandchildren: Breanna Scott (Randall), their children, Kendrick and Hensley, Clever, MO; Jennie Hickinbotham (Michael), their children Harrison, Hudson, and Carter, Purdy, MO; Jared Smith (Brookelyn) and their daughter Wytlee LaRue, Purdy, MO; Alex Wallace (Baylie), Springfield, MO; and Kyle Wallace (fiancé, Haley) Sheboygan, WI.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations can be made to St. Jude's or Ash Grove Elementary Library and may be left at the funeral home.

Visitation will be from 1:00PM until service time, Wednesday, December 21, 2022, at Wilson-Griffin Funeral Home, Ash Grove. Funeral services will begin at 2:00PM at the funeral home, with burial at Ash Grove Cemetery.