Marilyn I Stubblefield

Marilyn I Stubblefield was born March 23, 1938, and passed away September 17, 2026, at the age of 88. A longtime resident of Alvin, Texas, Marilyn’s life was rich in motion, connection, and the kind of bright spirit that draws people close.

Marilyn’s Stubblefield (Ramirez) came to the United States as a teenager in the 1950s with her family, settling in the Houston area. As the oldest of seven children, she carried responsibility with steady devotion—helping her mother with the younger children and contributing to the household by picking crops and other produce when she was not in school. With determination and pride, she graduated from Milby High School in 1958 and became proficient in speaking and writing in both English and Spanish, a gift that reflected both her drive and her ability to bridge worlds.

In an era when opportunity did not always meet effort, Marilyn met challenges with persistence. After being denied employment despite her qualifications, she enrolled with an employment agency—where she met Roy Stubblefield. They married in 1959 and moved to California, where they welcomed their two children, a daughter and a son. In 1967, the family moved to Arkansas to care for Roy’s mother, a chapter that spoke to Marilyn’s deep sense of commitment to family. After her mother-in-law’s death, they moved to Arizona, where, as their children grew, Marilyn and Roy embraced a life that stayed open to discovery and delight.

During their years in Arizona and beyond, Marilyn and Roy traveled extensively—to destinations across the United States, South America, and Europe. Along the way, they crossed paths with notable celebrities during frequent trips to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, including movie director John Huston, as well as Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton. Yet what mattered most about those travels was not simply where she went or whom she met, but the spirited way she moved through the world—curious, social, and ready for the next conversation, the next story, the next shared laugh. She also played an active role in contributing to and supporting Roy’s real estate ventures, offering steadfast partnership and encouragement.

In 1998, Marilyn moved to Alvin, Texas, to be closer to her son, daughter-in-law, granddaughters, brothers and sister, and many nieces and nephews. When Roy died in 2005, Marilyn carried forward with resilience, holding close the family and relationships that mattered most. In her later years, she was surrounded by familiar comforts and the warmth of ongoing connection.

Marilyn’s joys were wonderfully her own: traveling, socializing, spending time with family, ballet, crocheting, making jewelry, watching westerns, and—most importantly, by her own proud standard—gossiping. Through it all, she remained deeply loved by her family, not only for what she did, but for the lively, affectionate presence she brought to every gathering and every day.

Marilyn was preceded in death by her husband, Roy Stubblefield; brothers Humberto, Homer, and Henry Ramirez; sister Sylvia Corniel; and parents Enrique and Blanca Ramirez. She is survived by her daughter, Linda Stubblefield; her son, Roy Stubblefield, and his wife Beatrice; her granddaughters, Victoria Martinez and her husband Raul, and Amanda Stubblefield; her great-grandson, Maverick Martinez; her sister, Linda Ruiz; her brother, Ernesto Ramirez; and numerous nieces and nephews.