Marie Ann Bright

Marie Ann Bright, 90, of Alma, Arkansas, passed away on May 24, 2023, at her home with family present. A memorial service will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday, June 3, 2023, at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses at 4711 Kelley Hwy, Fort Smith, AR 72904.
She was born on Feb 28, 1933, in Brooklyn, New York, to Michael and Theresa (Celetano) Guerrizio. She was the eldest of three children.
Marie met her future husband, Bob, at Times Square in 1952 after watching a show with a gal friend. They exchanged letters while he was overseas and were married in Brooklyn on May 8,1954. Marie worked as a bookkeeper while Bob drove taxi. Marie and Bob went on to have three children, Michael K Bright of Fort Smith, Debbie Jennen of Russellville, and David Bright. They celebrated their 69th wedding anniversary together this month.
The family moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in 1957 where Marie was first contacted by Jehovah's Witnesses when Shirley Ellison, an anointed sister, stopped by their home. Marie joined the Meineke Congregation in Milwaukee when she was baptized in 1958. She was a faithful servant of Jehovah God for 65 years.
Marie and her family moved to Yell County, Arkansas, in 1974 where she began preaching full-time. She never stopped. As part of her full-time service, Marie and Bob assisted in building over 150 Kingdom Halls throughout Arkansas and as far away as Alaska. The friends made in this work were so very dear to Marie and many became life-long brothers and sisters in faith.
One of her greatest joys in life was family. Cooking brought her almost as much joy as feeding her guests. She had a wonderful sense of humor and a strong appetite for the Bible, sweet tea, pasta fagioli, and lemon meringue pie. She loved the field ministry, hosting backyard cookouts, taking trips with family and friends to Florida, and reading in beautiful places whether it be at the lake, while camping, or oceanside. Over the years she recounted her two greatest privileges as knowing Jehovah's name, and living life with her husband, Bob.
She was preceded in death by her parents, siblings, Michael Guerrizio and Janet Conzo, and her youngest son, David Bright.
She is survived by her loving husband Bob Bright, two children, their spouses, seven grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and one great-great-granddaughter. They include her daughter Debbie Jennen (Tommy), grandson Andrew J Berner, great-grandson Andrew Berner (McKinley), and great-great-granddaughter Nevaeh Berner, and great-grandson Michael Berner; son Mike Bright (Belle), grandson Michael Bright (Carla), and great-granddaughter Hazelle Slates (Rylee), grandson Matthew Bright (Brandy), and great-granddaughter Isabelle Bright, great-granddaughter Jayda Bright, and great-grandson Reid Bright, granddaughter Jessica Christopher (Daniel), and great-granddaughter Lydia Christopher, and grandson Anthony Bright; son David Bright, granddaughter Casandra Bright, granddaughter Summer Bright-Powell (Kiefer), and
great-grandsons Valen Hogue and Grayson Bright.
The family wishes to express their appreciation for all of those who have made meals,
visits, and phone calls during this difficult time. She is deeply missed and lovingly
remembered.