Marilyn was born on November 11, 1948 in Jackson, TN to the late Roy and Maurine Harris. She attended Mercer Elementary School and graduated from South Side High School in 1966.
After graduation she attended West Tennessee Business College to pursue a career in accounting. Her first job was at Robinson Cigar in downtown Jackson. When the company was sold she was hired at Bendix Corporation in the payroll department. Because of her caring nature to help employees, she was soon working in insurance benefits and claims. She remained with the company until closing helping many employees securing new jobs. She has many lifetime friends from Bendix whom she loved dearly. She completed her working career with West Tennessee Healthcare still helping employees with insurance processing and claims. She was loved by many.
Marilyn also loved to listen to Southern Gospel Music and attended live Gospel concerts in Jackson. She was also a big Elvis fan, loved listening to his albums and watching old Elvis movies. She was also a great cook and locally famous for her delicious coconut cakes and enjoyed hosting Thanksgiving and Christmas gatherings with her family and friends. She also loved her cats Mittens & Bella.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her beloved son, David Stephen Kiestler.
She is survived by her husband, David Kiestler; her brother, E. Taylor Harris; sister in law, Susie Sikes; brother in law, George Kiestler; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends on Tuesday, August 11, 2026 from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. at the South Chapel of George A. Smith and Sons. Following the visitation, an escorted procession will travel to Shady Grove Cemetery near Mercer for a graveside service officiated by Bro. Dylan McMinn of Pinson Baptist Church.
