Iola "Marzelle" Perkins

Iola “Marzelle” Perkins, age 100 of Ozark, died December 2, 2025. She was born May 19, 1925 in Hollis, Oklahoma, the daughter of Robert Greer and Lola Cenona (Garton) Cummins. 

On June 21st, 1941, she was united in marriage to Harold Burton Perkins in Pea Ridge, Arkansas. Harold preceded Marzelle in death on March 20, 2004. 

Marzelle was a business owner and bookkeeper for Midway Auto Salvage for 25 years in Berryville Arkansas before her retirement. She taught Sunday School, was a seamstress, enjoyed reading, church work, women's missions, and served as church secretary for several years. 

Marzelle took care of all of those around her with love, compassion and tenderness. She always tried to model Jesus's love for others by being the living example He would have wanted her to be. Marzelle was saved and baptized at age 20. 

Marzelle had an eagerness and yearning to discover who God was and His plan for her life. She began studying the Bible intensely and was called to teach all ages from birth to adult women for 68 years. Her true love was seeing God's word come to life through directing VBS for many years. Marzelle also led girls and women's auxiliaries (GA's and WMU). She learned to play piano later in life and earned her GED. Marzelle taught herself how to type so that the church bulletins could be printed. 

She and her husband Harold were charter members of Freeman Heights Baptist Church in Berryville, Arkansas where they lived 57 years. Together they served God, loved their family, and had a meaningful and fulfilling life there. In 2002 they moved to Ozark and became members of First Baptist Church of Ozark. 

Marzelle was an excellent seamstress and had a great eye for fabric and design. She made most of her children's clothes as they were growing up. Marzelle also served as an election clerk in Arkansas. She enjoyed traveling and was the road map navigator when she and Harold took their travel trailer on road trips. She enjoyed holiday and Sunday meals with family. Above all, she taught her family to be grateful for all of God's blessings, be slow to anger, to watch their speech and to guard their hearts. She never wavered in her belief nor doubted her salvation. She embodied the characteristics of Proverbs 31:10-31. 

Survivors include: her children, Alice Writer and husband Terry of Ozark, Janet Bartos and husband Phillip of Little Rock, Arkansas, and Ronald Perkins and wife Debbie of Bella Vista, Arkansas; her grandchildren: Jennifer Metcalf and husband Jim, Derek Writer and wife Marci, Wesley Perkins, Jessica Hollars and husband Jeremy, Danielle Ivey and husband Wallace, Jacquelyn Yarbrough and husband Kevin; and her great grandchildren: Colton Hollars, Hunter Hollars and Avery Hollars, Ella Metcalf and Eli Metcalf, Mya Writer and Drew Writer and Anna Yarbrough. 

In addition to her husband, Marzelle was preceded in death by her parents; and ten brothers and sisters.

A funeral service will be held at 11:30 a.m., Saturday, December 6, 2025 at First Baptist Church, Ozark, under direction of Adams Funeral Home, Ozark, with Blake Hayworth officiating. 

Visitation will be from 11:00 – 11:30 a.m. immediately before the funeral at the church. 

A private family burial will follow at Berryville Memorial Cemetery, Berryville, Arkansas.