Linda Kay Marple's Obituary
Obituary
Linda Kay Marple, 79, of Bentonville, AR passed away, Saturday, November 2, 2019 after a battle with cancer. She was born November 15, 1939 in Goldthwaite, TX to Leonard and Deatrice (Dennis) Archer. Linda and her family moved to Bentonville, AR when she and her identical twin sister, Lana, were in the 7th grade.
She was a graduate of the Class of 1957 from Bentonville High School. Linda, her late husband Bill, and her classmates were extremely close and remained close friends after graduating. They would have a potluck gathering on a monthly basis called the “Supper Club”. They also had yearly class reunions that Linda would attend and help plan. She loved getting together with her classmates whether it was going on trips, to a casino or just having lunch. If there was an event that involved friends from high school, Linda was sure to attend.
Linda worked for 20+ years at the Benton County Sunshine School for developmentally delayed preschool children. She was one of the first preschool teachers and began going to the families’ homes to work with toddlers and infants. She loved working with the children and their families. Linda was always working to improve her skills to be able to work with the children by attending different workshops or classes. She found ways to help many, many children develop and progress when others thought it was not possible. Several years after starting at the Sunshine School, she became a massage therapist to better help children. She did not limit her skills to just children; classmates, friends and family members benefited as well.
Linda had several hobbies that she loved, photography being one of them. She was always looking for that special or unique photograph. She entered some of her photos into the Benton County Fair where she would typically receive a blue ribbon. Any gathering, whether with family or others, Linda was always the one with a camera in her hand. Linda loved to travel which made for great photo opportunities. Hawaii, the Grand Canyon, London were just a few of her traveling highlights.
Harley was Linda’s faithful miniature dachshund for 16 years. He was her protector especially after her husband passed. Anyone who wanted to be friends with Linda had to attempt to become friends with Harley as well. Harley was by her side until the very end. He crossed the Rainbow Bridge two days after his Momma passed and joined her and his Daddy in Heaven.
Linda was preceded in death by the love of her life, Bill, her identical twin sister, Lana, and her parents.
Linda is survived by her three children, Ray and wife, Kim of Springfield, MO; Kevin of Bentonville, AR; and Kimalee and wife, Ashley of Bentonville, AR. She also is survived by nine grandchildren; Morgen, Anthony, Madeline, Bethany (Matt), Chaz, Maya, Mikayla, Zachary, and Presley as well as seven great grandchildren; Oaklenn, Azera, Evelyn, Noah, Franklin, Annalise, and Jaxson.
Visitation will be from 5:00pm until 7:00pm, Thursday, November 7, 2019 at Stockdale-Moody Funeral Services in Rogers, Ark.Funeral services will be at 10:00am, Friday, November 8, 2019 at All Saints Episcopal Church, 2904 NW 3rd St, Bentonville, AR 72712. Burial will follow at Bentonville Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Benton County Sunshine School, 3400 Woods Ln, Rogers, AR 72756.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Linda Kay Marple, please visit our floral store.
What’s your fondest memory of Linda?
What’s a lesson you learned from Linda?
Share a story where Linda's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Linda you’ll never forget.
How did Linda make you smile?