Marilyn Ann Creel (Reynolds) peacefully passed in her sleep Friday evening February 16, 2024 with family present in the care of Azria Health in Wichita, KS. She was born September 21, 1937 in Altoona, Kansas, the daughter of Joseph and Thelma Reynolds of Wilson County. She graduated from Altoona High School in 1955 where she was a star basketball player. In her teen years, she would work at the Altoona Grain Elevator during harvest times and along with her siblings helped with Thelm's Place, the family restaurant owned and operated by her mother. She attended Junior College in Independence, KS before electing to focus on her family life which she built with Earl. W. Creel who she married in 1956. In 1964, Marilyn and Earl moved from Parsons to Wichita where she was a dedicated homemaker and mother to their two sons, Emil and Wesley. She was a Den Mother for cub scouts, an active bowler, and great cook, known especially for her famous homemade cherry pies among other delicacies. She loved to host family and entertain especially for Christmas. As a resident of North Wichita she was an active member of Pleasant Valley Methodist Church.

In addition to being a loving mother and wife, she was an exceptionally skilled Avon Representative for over 50 years where she fulfilled orders for her beloved Wichita customers. Throughout her career she was often one of the top sellers in the country with several years of being awarded as the number one seller of Avon for the state of Kansas. Marilyn enjoyed traveling on Avon sponsored trips all over the country. She made strong impressions on everyone who knew her, however long or brief.

Marilyn Creel was a remarkable woman whose dedication to her family will always be remembered. She was a fixture at Creel family gatherings in New Mexico, Kansas, New York, and Arizona—wherever her family was, she was too. Her legacy lives on through her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, who will cherish the memories of her for years to come. The Creel family will always remember Marilyn, who was sometimes brash and outspoken and also often generous, hospitable, and adventurous. Mercy!

She was preceded in death by her parents (Joseph, 1988 and Thelma Reynolds, 2013), sister Barbara June (2013), brother Floyd Allen (2006) and husband Earl W. Creel (2021). She is survived by her sister Rhonda Reynolds Taylor of New Strawn, two sons and daughters in-laws Earl Emil and Estella Creel, and Wesley William and Roma Creel, grandchildren Kandace (Liz), Adam (Meritssy), Kelcie (Alex), and Kynsey (Jake), great-grandchildren Penelope and Christian Creel, and her beloved dog Scooter.

Visitation will be held on Monday, February 26 from 5 - 7 p.m. at Baker Funeral Home, Wichita, KS.  A graveside service will be held on Tuesday, February 27 at 1:00 p.m. at the Altoona City Cemetery.  To honor her memory, in lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made in her name to the Pleasant Valley Methodist Church of Wichita, KS.