Marie Poarch

8/16/1966 - 8/14/2024

Marie Lynn (Riley) Poarch, of Ft. Smith, AR, overcame her battle with cancer and entered into eternal rest on August 14, 2024. She was born August 16, 1966 in Garland, Texas to Harold Macklin Riley and Barbara Ann (Gregory) Riley. Growing up, Marie made lifelong friends and had countless adventures with her Campfire group, also receiving Campfire’s highest honor, The Wo-He-Lo Medallion. She graduated from Garland High School in 1984, where she played varsity tennis and participated in the Vocational Office Education Program. Through the years she has worked in accounting, bookkeeping, and office management, spending the last 16+ years as the Office Administrator of Hahn Packaging, Inc. (formerly T.J. Smith Box Co.) in Ft. Smith.

During high school, she attended Axe Memorial United Methodist Church (UMC), where she met her husband, Rev. Steve Poarch. They married June 15, 1985, and began life together in Russellville, AR. Their blessed life together carried them to numerous homes throughout TN, TX, and AR, eventually spending the last 16+ years in Ft. Smith. She was an incredible mom to their daughter, Stephanie and son, Andrew. She lovingly supported her family in all they did, always going above and beyond, whether as a band mom, soccer mom, or pastor’s spouse. She also loved to spoil her 4-legged family members (Lace, Luke, Ellie, Benji & Princess).

Marie was a member of St. Paul UMC, serving in many areas, but especially as a computer/soundboard technician. A favorite memory was her recent trip with Steve to serve UMC congregations in Tanzania, Africa. She was generous and enjoyed helping others. She also loved reading, watching mystery and crime movies/TV series, and doing puzzles. Marie courageously battled breast cancer 3 times in the last 10 years, setting a faithful example of trusting God, especially when treatments proved more harmful than effective. The family is deeply appreciative of the compassionate care provided by Dr. Daniel Mackey and the staff at Mercy Oncology, as well as the staff at Mercy Hospice Care, especially our personal angel, Gretchen Thompson.

Marie was preceded in death by both parents, and father-in-law, Bennie Poarch. She is survived by her husband, Rev. Steve Poarch, daughter Stephanie Nixon (Pete), Barling, AR and son Andrew Poarch (Abby Chiles), Tulsa, OK; sisters Terry Potter, Pamela White, and Debbie Williams; mother-in-law, Joan Poarch, and numerous nephews, nieces, cousins, in-laws and friends.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at St. Paul UMC, Ft. Smith on Saturday, August 24th, at 11:00AM. It will be preceded by a time of visitation from 9:30AM -11:00AM at the church. There will also be a casual gathering of friends at Axe Memorial UMC in Garland, TX in September (Date TBD). Services are entrusted to Edwards Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Paul UMC for the Lugufu UMC – Africa fund at St. Paul UMC, 4100 Grand Ave, Ft. Smith, AR 72904, or to Mercy Hospice Care, 6801 Rogers Ave, Ft. Smith, AR 72903.

Online condolences may be sent to: www.edwardsfuneralhome.com