Obituary for Mrs. Marilyn Russell Canup

Celebration of Life for Marilyn Russell Canup, 75, of Big Sandy will be at 2:00 P.M. Friday, October 7, 2016, at McWhorter Funeral Home in Gilmer. Also, all are invited to join the family for a potluck meal starting at 5:00 pm at New Beginnings Fellowship in Big Sandy.
Marilyn was born March 1, 1941 to Arta Xerxes Russell and Susie Muriel Goodman Russell, Marilyn spent her childhood in Angelina County, TX. She passed away peacefully at home in her sleep on October 2, 2016.

As the oldest of the Russell girls and their beloved younger brother, Marilyn set the code of love of family, love for and dependence on God. She followed the example of Christ in helping those in need, not forgetting that humor can be a salve in many situations. She is survived by sisters; Judith Russell Omasta and husband Larry, Elizabeth Russell Coston and her husband Wood Brother-in-law; Tom Pickett and sister-in-law Jacqueline Russell, as well as sixteen nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by her sister Adrienne Russell Pickett, nephew Andrew Pickett, and brother Thaddeus “Thad” Russell. 

She graduated in 1959 from Huntington High School in Huntington, Texas. After high school, Marilyn ventured off to California to attend Ambassador College and graduated from there with a Bachelors Degree in 1963. When Ambassador College opened its Big Sandy campus, Marilyn journeyed back to Texas to work as the college’s first campus librarian.

Marilyn married Lorenzia Dwayne Canup on August 13, 1967 and they recently celebrated 49 years of marriage. Marilyn and Dwayne have two children: Leron and Shana. She welcomed Amy Decker as her daughter-in-law and Paul Curd as her son-in-law. She was the proud “Grammie” of five grandchildren: Haley Canup, Alexa Canup, Tyler Canup, Natasha Curd, and Christofer Curd.

Marilyn loved bookkeeping and she worked at Kendon Inc., owned by the Ditto family, in Winnsboro for 23 years. She worked for Kelley Insurance after moving to Big Sandy. After officially retiring, she continued her bookkeeping passion by serving as treasurer for New Beginnings Fellowship. In addition, she was a member and officer of the Big Sandy Ministerial Alliance and the treasurer of the Agape House Ministries, which is overseen by the Alliance. Marilyn was honored to be chosen as the Big Sandy Woman of the Year in 2014. She also worked as needed at Big Sandy City Hall up until her death.
Marilyn was a huge part of the Next Generation young adult ministry at New Beginnings, as well as leading bible studies for the Silver Ambassadors. She had a passion for sharing God’s grace and love to all who entered her life.