Obituaries

Marilyn Baird Newkirk

Photo of Marilyn Baird Newkirk
Marilyn Baird Newkirk, formerly of Little Rock, Ark. and Tulsa, Okla., and currently of Miami, Fla., passed away unexpectedly and peacefully beside the love of her life on Friday, January 29, 2016. She was born to Newton P. Baird and India Benson Baird on April 29, 1930 in Little Rock, Arkansas. She received an associate degree from Hendrix College and did further studies in Speech Communications at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. She was a member of the 20th Century Club in Little Rock. Among her greatest joys was being the mother of her three children. After her youngest child was in school, she began her career working for the Laser Law Firm. In 1985, she reconnected with her teenage love, Bob Newkirk. They were married on November 24, 1989 in Little Rock and she moved to live with Bob in Tulsa, Okla. She enjoyed 24 years in Tulsa, continuing her career there in health insurance administration and developing her second career as a public speaker. She gave many wonderful presentations over the years, including "The Healing Power of Humor," for which she was featured in various periodicals. Marilyn was renowned for her many book reviews, a talent that she enjoyed and continued until her death. She was a member of PEO, Friends of the Library in Tulsa, and active in the United Methodist Church. Marilyn and Bob's sense of adventure took them on many interesting travels and brought them to Miami in 2013. Marilyn never met a stranger and always made others feel special. She always had a smile on her face and a kind word for all. She left an imprint on the hearts of all she met. Marilyn is survived by her husband and soul mate, Robert W. Newkirk; her children Cindy McCall Talbert (William), Jay B. McCall (Rena) and Carolyn McCall Squires (David); stepchildren Melanie Newkirk Trook (Larry) and Mark Grady Merritt (Alex), nieces Janet James (David), and Summer Williams; 10 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. A celebration of life was held on Saturday, February 6, 11 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church of Coral Gables, 536 Coral Way, Coral Gables, Fla. 33134. In lieu of flowers, her wishes were for donations to be made to First United Methodist Church of Coral Gables.

Published February 11, 2016

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