Obituaries

Alice Marietta Glenn

Photo of Alice Marietta Glenn Photo of Alice Marietta Glenn
Alice Marietta Gurley Glenn, age 85, formerly of Hot Springs, Ark. and Fayetteville, Ark., passed quietly from this life on the evening of January 24, 2016. Born September 9, 1930 in Piggott, Arkansas, she was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 65 years, Vernon Lee Glenn, by her parents, Lester and Ruby Harwood Gurley, step-mother Edith Gurley, and sister Wanda Lee Gurley Hanna, all of Piggott, Ark. Marietta is survived by her two children, daughter, Suzetta Lee Glenn, of Hot Springs, Ark., son, Stephen Gurley Glenn (Deborah Mashburn Glenn) of North Little Rock, Ark., her five grandchildren, Jamin Glenn Harrison of Seattle, Wash., Adam Glenn (Lindsay) of Alexander, Ark., Noah Glenn (Lindsey) of Memphis, Tenn., Marelle Glenn Moehrle of Seattle, Wash., Hannah Glenn of Memphis, Tenn., three great-grandchildren, Mary Abigail and Thomas Newman Glenn of Alexander, Ark., and Ruby Jane Glenn of Memphis, Tenn. A sister, Martha Jane Coomer Knight, also survives. After graduating from Piggott High School, Marietta attended Arkansas State University in Jonesboro where she met her future husband, Vernon, when he approached her at a bus stop and asked to borrow a dime for the bus ride. They married in 1949, built a truly wonderful life together, and remained best friends and in love for 65 years. One of Marietta's frequent slogans was "It's a great life if you don't weaken", a sentiment which she epitomized as she doggedly pursued higher education goals while also being a tireless and devoted wife, mother, and teacher. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Education with an emphasis in Speech Pathology from Henderson State Teachers College in Arkadelphia in 1962, where she was also initiated into the Alpha Delta Kappa Honorary Sorority. In 1967 she was awarded a Master of Arts in Speech and Dramatic Arts from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. From 1968 to 1983 Marietta worked as a Speech Pathologist for the Fayetteville Public Schools and was responsible for mentoring many UA speech pathology students as they completed their education. She was Head of the Department of Speech Pathology at Washington Regional Medical Center in Fayetteville from 1984 until her retirement in 1996. After supervising the building and design of a new home on Lake Hamilton, Marietta and Vernon retired to Hot Springs in 1996 to enjoy life on the lake. They happily shared that life with friends and family, making it an especially welcoming place for grandchildren to laugh and play while creating lifetime memories with Grandma and Grandpa. The family would like to express appreciation for all the caregivers who assisted Marietta over the last few years, especially Marva Bradshaw and Deborah Dishman. Heart felt thanks to Deborah Glenn for her years of dedication to Marietta's care and wellness. A special thanks and sincere gratitude to the wonderful people at Arkansas Hospice, including Vicky, Rose and Tanya, for their compassionate and loving care. Visitation will begin at 9 a.m. on Thursday, January 28, 2016 at Griffin Leggett Rest Hills, 7724 Landers Road, North Little Rock, Ark. 72117, followed by a Celebration of Life Service at 10 a.m. Memorials may be made to Arkansas Hospice, 14 Parkstone Circle, North Little Rock, Ark. 72116. Memories of Marietta may be shared online at www.griffinleggettresthills.com.

Published January 27, 2016

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