Marlyn "Marilyn" Waterbeck

Salem – Marlyn “Marilyn” Waterbeck, age 89, of Salem, passed away on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, at her home, surrounded by her children.

She was born on March 10, 1937, in Blue Jay, WV, a daughter of the late Herbert and Clarice McKinney Smith.

Marilyn was a woman of faith and attended the First Methodist Church of Salem. She was a devoted wife and mother and truly embraced her role as a homemaker. Her family was everything to her. She loved being a wife and mother, but she may have enjoyed being a grandmother even more. Her grandchildren and great grandchildren affectionately call her “Nanny”, and it couldn’t suit her more. She enjoyed fishing and camping with her children and late husband, John. She also enjoyed playing euchre, cooking, canning and working in her garden. Mostly she enjoyed attending family gatherings and making memories with her loved ones. Marilyn will be deeply missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing her.

Her husband, John Leroy Waterbeck, whom she married on June 5, 1965, preceded her in death on, January 26, 2022.

Marlyn "Marilyn" is survived by her three daughters, Laurie Mayhew, Karen "Casey" (Philip) Gromley, and Tembra Martin; two sons, Buddy (Debbie) Wood, and Mike (Sharon) Waterbeck; ten grandchildren, Philip (Rhiannon), Brandy (Tim), Christopher (Angie), Shannon (Brian), Annie, Diana (Chris), Trevin, Suzanne (Shane), Kaylin (Tim), and Alex; twelve great grandchildren, Seth, Gavin, Keegan, Kenna, Delaney, Aiden, Kyliee, Aubrianna, Charlotte, Winston, Jules, and Darcy; sister, Frances (Angus) Hart; two brothers, Tim Smith, and Joe (Barb) Smith, and by a sister-in-law, Freda Smith.

She was preceded in death by a grandchild, Misti Kathleen; son-in-law, Jim Mayhew; four sisters, Gladys Olson, Vivian Skaggs, Hulda Vest, and Betty Osborne; two brothers, Sonny and Tommy Smith.

Per her wishes, private family services were held.

Marilyn was laid to rest with her husband John at Hope Cemetery in Salem.

Memorial donations may be made in Marilyn’s memory to: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Warrick-Kummer-Rettig Funeral Home, Columbiana.

Family and friends may view this obituary and send condolences at www.familycareservices.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.