Marietta Davis Gillihan

Of Melbourne, Arkansas

Marietta Davis Gillihan, daughter of the late Emmett Davis and Zelpha Frona Thompson Davis, was born September 25, 1929 in Guion, Arkansas. She departed this life February 6, 2020 in Melbourne, Arkansas at the age of 90 years, 4 months and 8 days. She was united in marriage to Jeffie Ray Gillihan November 11, 1948 and together they raised four children. Marietta spent her life as a loving daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, homemaker and friend. She worked at White River Shirt Company in Melbourne for many years. She was an excellent cook specializing in biscuits and gravy and chocolate fried pies. She had the biggest heart for animals and loved playing music and was a member of the Ozark Mountain Music Makers. She was a longtime member of the Redbud Extension Homemakers Club in Melbourne. She was of the Baptist faith and a member of Belview Baptist Church.

Marietta is survived by three sons and three daughters-in-law: Dennis and Carol Gillihan of Twin Creek, Roger and Vickey Gillihan of Melbourne, Mitch and Aprill Gillihan of Melbourne; one daughter and son-in-law: Cynthia and Jerry Ward of Melbourne; nine grandchildren: Jeff Gillihan, Ernie Gillihan, Miranda Gillihan Castro, Kelly Ross, Kodi Jo Pratt, Tyler Koestner, Harrison Gillihan, Lincoln Gillihan, and Hattie Mae Gillihan; twelve great grandchildren: Levi McCurley, Jayden Gillihan, Drayson Gillihan, Brayden Fuller, Hayden Ross, Reagan Ross, Aubry Reynolds, Mabry Reynolds, Emma Pratt, Nora Pratt, Thea Koestner, Alton Koestner and a host of other relatives and many good friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 58 years: Jeffie Gillihan and two sisters: Alma Mason and Velma Dooly.

Visitation will be Saturday, February 8 from 6-8 p.m. at Eddie's Family Funeral Home in Melbourne. Funeral service will be Sunday, February 9 at 2:00 p.m. at Belview Baptist Church with Jess Sumrall officiating. Burial will be at Combs Cemetery.

Pallbearers: Kenny Loggains, Bill Miller, Jeff Gillihan, Ernie Gillihan, Mike Gillihan and Donald Cheatham.

Honorary Pallbearers: James Pratt, Harrison Gillihan, Lincoln Gillihan, Tyler Koestner and Jon Ross.

Memorials may be made to: Alzheimer's Association, 2408 S 51st Ct, Fort Smith, AR 72903 . www.alz.org/arkansas . Angelman Syndrome at www.angelman.org/resources-education/regional-representatives/#region3 .

Izard County Animal Rescue Effort, ICARE, P.O. Box 1062, Melbourne, Arkansas 72556.