Marilyn Kay Greenway

Marilyn Greenway of Nixa, Missouri, daughter of Floyd and Alice (Grisham) Greenway of Galena, Missouri, was born in Galena, Missouri on August 23, 1952, and departed this life on February 23, 2026, at her home in Nixa, Missouri at the age of 73. Marilyn was the sixth of eight daughters born into the family. She never married, but at the age of 23 she gave life to whom she affectionately referenced as her “one and only” daughter, Julie (Greenway) Martin.

Marilyn lived most of her life in the Galena, Missouri area. She spent four years of her young life in Wichita, Kansas while her dad worked in the area, but she said her heart was always in Missouri. After high school, Marilyn worked at the Crane garment factory and also attended beauty school and graduated as a beautician. Although she never worked in a beauty salon, her family and friends reaped the benefits of her skills for years to come. In her early 20s, Marilyn started working at FASCO in Ozark, Missouri. She remained there for over 13 years, gaining a lifetime of friends that she would always highly regard. After leaving FASCO, Marilyn worked a short time at Tracker Boats in Nixa, Missouri, until she had a brain aneurysm at the age of 35, that changed her life forever.

Marilyn was a strong and fearless woman. With much perseverance, she overcame the many obstacles that came from her brain aneurysm and strokes. While her dominant right side remained mostly paralyzed, she taught herself to walk, talk, write and drive again, all with only the use of her left side. Marilyn and Julie lived most of their years with Floyd and Alice. In 2000, she and her mother moved to Nixa. Once her mother passed away, Marilyn continued to live in Nixa on her own and took a job as a Walmart greeter. She worked that job for over 10 years and found it to be the most fulfilling job she ever had. It fit her well, because her entire job was to greet and observe people and there was nothing she loved more than people.

Marilyn loved people like Jesus and if you were around her for more than five minutes, you learned about those she loved most. Her greatest treasures were her daughter Julie and son-in-law Shannon, and her three grandkids Jonathan, Jacob and Maribelle Martin. She was unashamedly proud to talk about any of them and quick to tell them and everyone she knew, how very much she loved them.

Marilyn truly loved people. She was often the confidant and biggest supporter of her sisters, cousins, nieces and nephews and her door was always open to anyone in need. She loved unconditionally and many times was the last resort of hope for those who found themselves at the mercy of life’s toughest circumstances. She never turned people away. She loved even when it hurt her and even when she had to set boundaries because love wasn’t the only answer they needed, she still never stopped loving them.

Marilyn’s love, joy and optimism will be missed by all. She was the most loving mom, grandma and friend a person could hope for, and our lives have all been greatly impacted by her presence.

Marilyn is preceded in death by her parents Floyd and Alice (Grisham) Greenway, Sisters Lois Scott (Wayne), Loretta Cox (Tim), Joyce Bradford, Karen Henry (Jimmie) and Donna Kimberling (Dennis), also brothers-in-law Stanley Inman and Larry Clines.

She is survived by her daughter Julie and husband Shannon (Highlandville, Missouri), her grandkids Jonathan Martin (Nashville, Tennessee), Jacob Martin (Raleigh, North Carolina) and Maribelle Martin (Lakeland, Florida), sisters Betty Clines and Barbara Inman, both of Springfield, Missouri, brother- in-law, Ralph Bradford (Galena, Missouri), along with many special nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

A funeral service will be held 11:00 a.m., Saturday, February 28, 2026, at Thrive Church, Nixa, Missouri with Pastor Chris Foster officiating. Burial will follow the service at Ponce De Leon Cemetery, Ponce De Leon, Missouri.  Visitation will precede the funeral service at 10:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Marilyn's honor to the Ponce De Leon Cemetery or Thrive Church,