Marilyn Roy

Ms. Marilyn Graham Hale Roy, of Russell Springs, passed from this life Friday, June 6, 2025, at Russell County Hospital, having attained the age of 84 years, 3 months and 17 days.

Ms. Marilyn was born Friday, February 21, 1941, in Louisville, daughter of the late Graham Vaughan and Sara Bates Hale.  She was a life-long member of the Church at the Springs, which started in the living room of her grandparents’ home.  Ms. Marilyn’s faithful devotion to her church through the Fellowship Team and church choir continued until her passing.

Earning her Rank I in Education, Ms. Marilyn was an acclaimed educator, retiring after 36 years with the Russell County School System.  The years formulating the minds and characters of the community’s youth were spent at Russell Springs Elementary School, where she taught 2nd grade, then on to Middle School, educating the 8th grade students.  She remained in touch with the education community through her retired teachers’ KAPPA Group.

Ms. Marilyn was a historian, maintaining a vast memory of people, places and dates.  She was a “picker” of antiques before the term was used; a purveyor of décor and fashion; and had an unquenchable thirst for reading.  She was famously known for her Italian cream cakes, coconut cream pies and her spaghetti.

She is survived by her daughter, Beth Hale Roy (and James Mark) Rhea, of Bowling Green; her brother, Dr. Mark B. (and Tina) Hale, of Bowling Green; her sister, Mary Ella (and L. Stephen) Holt, of Simpsonville; grandsons, Cameron James Rhea and Isaac Graham Rhea; cousins, Brooks (and Winfrey) Bates and Scott (and Brenda) Pierce; a niece, Brandie Elizabeth Holt; and great-nephews, Jackson Stephen Jeffries, Mason Graham Jeffries and Walker Vaughan Jeffries.

Along with her parents, Ms. Marilyn is preceded in death by her beloved husband, N. Roger Roy; her sister, Vaunene Greene; and her nephew, Lucas Graham Holt.

Funeral services are 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, June 10, 2025, at The Church at the Springs, with Dr. Mark B. Hale and Pastor Taylor Evans officiating.  Burial will follow in Russell Springs City Cemetery.  Active pallbearers are Cameron James Rhea, Isaac Graham Rhea, Jackson Stephen Jeffries, Mason Graham Jeffries, Walker Vaughan Jeffries, James Mark Rhea and L. Stephen Holt.  Honorary pallbearers are Brooks Bates and Scott Pierce.

Visitation for Ms. Marilyn will be held after 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, at the Church at the Springs, until time of funeral services.

In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may take the form of donations to The Church at the Springs, in memory of Ms. Marilyn.

Arrangements for Marilyn Graham Hale Roy are entrusted to Bernard Funeral Home.  An online guestbook is available at www.bernardfuneralhome.com

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