Megan Lea Herrold

Megan Lea Herrold, 39, of Fort Smith, Arkansas, passed away on July 26, 2025. She was born on November 1, 1985, in Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, to Dr. Jeffrey and Susan Herrold.

Megan was a lifelong learner who obtained her Ph.D. in English Literature from The University of Southern California in 2018. She was a fourth-year medical student at Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine. Megan pursued knowledge based on her passions, with an open mind and an open heart. She had an appreciation for artistry and talent, wherever and whenever it presented itself. Many of her closest friendships were built on a shared appreciation for these qualities.

Megan was a world traveler. After college, she worked in New York City before ultimately beginning her journey in academia, which took her to the University of Virginia for her master's degree, to southern California for her Ph.D., to Shanghai, China to teach English Literature through NYU Shanghai, and to Chile for a rotation through her medical school. Megan's magnetic personality earned her admiring friends in all of these locations, and she gave generously of herself while maintaining several years-long, close friendships.

Megan was preceded in death by her grandparents, Juanita and Virgil Parker; Andrew and Helen Herrold. She is survived in life by her beloved husband, William Marrinson. She leaves behind her mother and father, Jeff and Susan; her three brothers, Danny, Connor, and Jeff Jr., and many friends and family that miss her dearly.

Megan was fearless, hard-working, and compassionate. She was a beloved friend and source of inspiration to all who knew her. She illuminated every room with her smile and her quick wit, and the world is a much dimmer place without her.

A celebration of Megan's life will be at 2PM on Saturday, August 2nd at Caruth-Hale Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Restoring Hope in NWA:

https://nwaws.org/restoringhopenwa/