Marilyn Gordon Frith

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, October 8th, at First Baptist Church of Mansfield for Marilyn Gordon Frith, age 88, who passed away peacefully on October 5th at the home of her daughter. Marilyn was born on March 1, 1937, in Alexandria, Louisiana, to Frank and Birdie Hedrick Gordon. At the time of her birth, floodwaters in her hometown of Eva (Concordia Parish) made it unsafe for her mother to deliver at home. She became the only one of four sisters to enter the world in a hospital, a small detail that marked the beginning of a life full of resilience and grace. She grew up in Eva, surrounded by family, faith, and the simple joys of rural farm life. She attended school in Monterey and graduated from Monterey High School where she was valedictorian of her class.

Marilyn was married to Edward Frith, and together they raised four children: Gary, Corky, Lana, and Terry. Throughout her life, Marilyn made her home in many places and gathered memories from each. Her family's journey took them to Vicksburg, Mississippi, where they helped charter a church, Lawton, Oklahoma, several towns across Louisiana: including Vidalia, Tallulah, Zachary, and Metairie, Houston, Texas, and even Paris, France and Colombia, South America. For the last 45 years, she made her home in Mansfield, where her roots grew deep and her friendships flourished.

Marilyn was a devoted member of First Baptist Church of Mansfield for 45 years. She was also an active member of the Mansfield Garden Club, the Department Club, and the Bon Chasse Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. She had a lifelong love for flowers: growing, arranging, and nurturing them. Her knowledge of plants was remarkable, and she had a natural gift for making things beautiful. She also loved creating stunning tablescapes, each one rivaling the pages of Better Homes and Gardens. She found great joy in planning family gatherings, especially around the holidays, carefully sorting out menus and who would bring each dish. Marilyn was an accomplished bridge player, achieving the rank of Silver Life Master. She also enjoyed quilting, crocheting, and genealogy. Her gentle strength, creative spirit, and love for family will continue to bloom in the hearts of all who knew her.

She is survived by her children: Gary Frith, Lana Clark, and Terry (Beth) Frith, her sister Phyllis Dean (Dixie) Hamilton. She is also survived by 8 grandchildren: Gary, Jr., Corey, Perry, Crystal, Erin, Ben, Rebecca, and Susannah. Additionally, she was blessed with 17 great grandchildren, who brought her endless joy.

She was preceded in death by her parents Frank and Birdie Gordon, her sisters Peggy Moncrief and Emmilee Feierabend, her son Corky, her grandsons Brice and Brady Clark, and her son-in-law Larry Clark. She was also preceded in death by the father of her children, Edward Frith.

The family would like to thank Christus Hospice and Superior Hospice and her caregivers: Betty, Tina, Diane, Carla, Sherri, Carrie, Jordan, and Delilah, who provided excellent care.

Visitation will be held Tuesday, October 7th from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, 943 Polk Street, Mansfield, Louisiana. A brief visitation will begin at 9:00 a.m., Wednesday, October 8th at First Baptist Church of Mansfield, followed by the funeral service at 10:00 a.m. The graveside service will be conducted at 4:00 p.m. at the Hedrick Family Cemetery, 1529 Hwy 908, Monterey, Louisiana.

Honoring Marilyn as pallbearers and honorary pallbearers will be Perry Frith, Eric Long, Corey Clark, Ben Frith, Brian Morgan, Gary Frith, Jr., Trent Clark, Gavin Frith, Eric Clark, Jordan Tall, Travion Gillyard, and Nathan Morgan.

Donations in Marilyn's memory can be made to Manna Ministry of FBC Mansfield or St. Jude’s Children's Hospital.