Marilyn Sue (Ferris) Defeo

Marilyn “Sue” Defeo, passed away in Springfield, Missouri on September 29, 2024.  She was born in Indianapolis, Indiana on November 12, 1942, to Cecil and Evelyn Ferris. 

Sue spent the majority of her final years with her husband Al and their two dogs, Blue and Marley in Jacksonville, Arkansas where she was also a member of McArthur Assembly of God.

Sue has always been a caretaker, and especially loved caring for children.  She worked many years at different daycares and eventually retired and had one in her home for several years as well. 

She met her husband Al in California where they raised three children: James “Jim”, Lisa, and Christina.  They were married for 63 years. She enjoyed cooking for her family, gardening, reading books, Wheel of Fortune and listening to Elvis.  She was a loving grandmother and great grandmother, earning her the beloved title of “Granny.”  Sue loved hearing updates on “her babies” over the phone as well as seeing their pictures.  She showed her family her love through her cooking, always making her famous spaghetti and meatballs or lasagna.

Sue is preceded in death by her husband, both her parents, and a sister Cherry Ivy, brothers Kenneth and Harry Ferris.  She is survived by her older sister Dee Ward and younger sister Sandra Curtis, her children Jim (Sandy), Lisa and Christy; and grandchildren: Matt, Josh (Samantha), Leslie (Kaleb), Jeff (Chelsey), Cody (Jessie), Ashley (Andrew), Christopher, Maddie, Paige and Vanessa.  Also, she leaves behind her great grandchildren Cora, Zoey, Devin, Hudson, Chloe, Edden, Lauryn, Charis, Isabella, Easton, Emma, Willow, Sanji and Mavis.

Sue was a loving wife, mother and the best Granny.  She will be greatly missed and forever loved. 

Cremation arrangements are under the care of Diamond State Cremation in Lead Hill, Arkansas. 

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