Marilyn Anderson Bowles Arthur, 77, of Salem, Virginia, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April 8, 2025. Born on October 22, 1947, Marilyn was known for her loving heart, her strong spirit, and her devotion to her family.
She retired from the City of Salem Schools, where she worked in the G.W. Carver cafeteria. Marilyn’s warm personality and kind nature left a lasting impact on all who knew her.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Joe Anderson, Sr. and Elva Anderson; her brother, Marty Anderson; and the love of her life, Kermit C. Arthur, Sr.
Those left to cherish her memory include her daughter, Reamona Coffey; her son, Paul L. Bowles (Missy); her stepsons, Randy Arthur (Sandra) and Kermit Arthur, Jr. (Thelma); grandchildren, Garon, Brittany, Sam, Taylor, Hannah, and Jake; step-grandchildren, Brandi, Randy Ray, Chris, Jodie, Nathan, and Dakota; six great-grandchildren; fourteen step-great-grandchildren; her sister, M. Gaye Thomas (Dave); brothers, Michael Anderson and Malcolm Anderson; sisters-in-law, Caroline Arthur, Maxine Hall, Coretta Vidito, and Kitty Lunsford (Bill); and her aunt, Eloise McMahan.
The family extends a heartfelt thank-you to the compassionate caregivers at Good Samaritan Hospice for their support and kindness.
A funeral service was held on Friday, April 11, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. in the chapel of Valley Funeral Home, with the viewing beginning at 12:00 p.m. Interment followed at the Arthur Family Cemetery in Waiteville, West Virginia.
