Marilyn Marlar Knight Huckabee

Marilyn J. Marlar Knight Huckabee went to be with the Lord on Saturday, January 24, 2025, completing 83 years of a full and joyful life that birthed six beautiful children. A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Feb. 8, at Pearl Community Center in Gatesville, Texas followed by inurnment at Huckabee Ranch Cemetery in Pearl, Texas.

Marilyn was born on September 26, 1941, in Hope, Arkansas, first child of Doyle and Floyce Marlar. The family moved to Hooks, Texas, in the 1940s, where Doyle served as a small town, Baptist preacher. Early in her life, Marilyn became the church pianist for each church where her father preached. As a young woman, Marilyn married James Otis Knight, Jr. and helped put him through college at the University of Texas by working for the State of Texas. They began raising five children, having lost one. After 21 years of marriage, Marilyn and James divorced.

Soon after, in 1981, Marilyn married her true love Randy Huckabee where she gained two additional children. Together they completed raising these seven children in their blended family.

Marilyn retired from the State of Texas DPS and enjoyed being a grandmother where she was known by Mama Huck or Mi Maw. She said she loved that she could spoil her grandkids and then give them back to their parents. She also loved giving them candy.

In her golden years, Marilyn became wheelchair bound and was able to stay at home assisted by her true love, Randy, who stayed by her side and cared for her until her unexpected death. Through all of this she never lost her sense of humor.

Marilyn is survived by her love Randy Huckabee; her children, James Otis Knight, III, Melisa Beth Mason, Richard Daly Knight, Jonathan Randolf Huckabee, David Edward Knight, and Beverly Michelle Kyzar, along with fifteen grandchildren and five great grandchildren. She is also survived by two sisters, Kathryn Marlar and Deborah Marlar Goodwin; as well as her Aunt Shelby Vernon whom she grew up with. She is preceded in death by her two sons John Kent Knight and Daniel Dale Knight along with her Brother James Marlar.