Marilyn Sue Beeby

Marilyn Sue Beeby, 86, of Enid, Oklahoma, passed away peacefully on Thursday, October 30, 2025, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Enid. A funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 1, 2025, at Anderson-Burris Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Derek Tinius officiating. Burial will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery. Born November 13, 1938, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Enid to William James and Dorothy Cora (McClung) Giles. Marilyn was a lifelong Oklahoman whose warmth, intellect, and creativity touched countless lives. She graduated from Enid High School in 1956 as a proud Plainsman and earned her degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Phillips University in 1961. Her education and deep compassion shaped a career devoted to helping others communicate and thrive. Through her work, Marilyn offered care and understanding to individuals and families, leaving a lasting impact on all she served. Marilyn’s life was rich with creativity and faith. A gifted writer and craftsman, she found joy in thoughtful prose, handmade projects, and the beauty of everyday life. Her home reflected her welcoming spirit and love of stories. A devoted follower of Jesus, Marilyn shared her gifts through service and fellowship, living out her faith with kindness and grace. She was also a proud supporter of her community, and a faithful voter who stayed engaged in civic life. Known for her humor and quirks, Marilyn often joked about being directionally challenged. She may be late by about an hour if you provide her with the correct event start time. Despite that, she was remarkably creative—especially at night—believing that our streams of consciousness were “little movies always playing.” She painted beautiful works of art, invented whimsical creatures called “Dribs” (which became a calendar with a friend’s help), wrote books, and created illustrated materials to help her clients with speech and language skills. Family was Marilyn’s greatest treasure. She raised three daughters on her own, teaching them strength and resilience—and even wrote a short song they still sing today. She loved cheering for the Oklahoma Sooners and celebrating life’s simple pleasures with those she loved. Marilyn’s career was expansive and deeply fulfilling. She began at Hedges Clinic, spent a year with Alva Public Schools, and later worked in private practice at Newman Memorial Hospital in Shattuck. She served Ellis County Schools (Arnett, Fargo, Gage, and Shattuck) before returning to Enid to care for her mother, resuming work at Hedges Speech and Hearing Clinic. She also provided services at Drummond and Wakita schools. Marilyn worked until age 73, retiring only for health reasons. Her patients and students adored her—many kept in touch for years, and even during her final hospitalization, a former student stopped by to say, “Mrs. Beeby, I remember you from Drummond.” Those moments meant the world to her. Marilyn is survived by her daughters: Marla Devous and husband Arnold of Pearland, Texas; Jill Watts and husband Scott of Andover, Kansas; and Susan Rice and fiancé Jeff George of Russellville, Arkansas; her cherished grandchildren, Grant Devous and Abbey Watts; and her younger brother James Giles and wife Carol of Enid. She was preceded in death by her parents, William and Dorothy Giles; two grandchildren, Scott Devous and Avery Watts; and longtime companion James Rogers. Her legacy is one of faith, family, friendship, and service. Marilyn will be deeply missed by all who knew her, remembered for her gentle humor, thoughtful conversations, and unwavering love. Memorials may be made through Anderson-Burris to Hedges Speech and Hearing Center or R.S.V.P.

Marilyn Sue Beeby

November 13, 1938 - October 30, 2025