Marilyn Charlene Taylor Johnston, 74, of Braman, Oklahoma, died Sunday, December 6, 2009, after a short and courageous battle with cancer. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, December 12, 2009, at 2:00 p.m., in the Braman United Methodist Church with Rev. C. M. Wilson officiating. A graveside service will follow in the Braman Cemetery. Interment will be under the direction of Roberts and Son Funeral Home, Blackwell. Family and friends are invited to visit with the family after the service at the family home in Braman.

Marilyn was born May 30, 1935, in Blackwell, Oklahoma, to Forrest Alphus and Lila Arvilla (Smith) Taylor. She graduated from Braman High School in 1953 and Northern Oklahoma College in Tonkawa in 1955. On September 3 of that same year, she married her high school sweetheart, Jerry Edward Johnston. The couple made their home in Stillwater while attending college, returning to Braman in 1957.

From 1961-1981, Marilyn served as Corporate Secretary/Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer for the Ed Johnston Grain Company. After the grain company was sold, she joined Jerry in J-M Company, which specialized in real estate and appraisal activities. She returned to college in 1984 at Oklahoma State University where she earned a BS degree in Accounting. She is a Life Member of the Oklahoma State University Alumni Association.

Marilyn loved her hometown of Braman and spent countless hours volunteering in and around her community. She served on the Braman Board of Education from 1988 to 2007, during which she held the offices of Board Clerk and President, chaired the Finance Committee for the Braman United Methodist Church from 1995 to present, held the office of Vice-President of the Integris Blackwell Hospital Foundation from 2002 to present, was the Advisor to the Mayor of Braman from 1983 to present, contributed as a member of the Braman Area Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture, and volunteered at Braman Town Hall.

She is survived by her mother, of Braman, Oklahoma, her husband of the home, her daughter Jerri Lynn Johnston Stevak of Houston, Texas, son-in-law, Ed Stevak, her son, Craige Edward Johnston of Tulsa, Oklahoma, daughter-in-law, Sara Hays Johnston, granddaughter Ashley Maureen Johnston Swart of Woodward, Oklahoma, grandson-in-law, Ian Swart, grandsons, Colin Daniel Hays Johnston and Taylor Edwin Stevak, both of Stillwater, Oklahoma, and two great grandchildren, Lila Caroline Swart and Jackson Davis Swart of Woodward, Oklahoma. She is also survived by her sister, Joan Taylor Davison of Lyons, Kansas, brother-in-law, Dean Davison, her sister, Sharon Taylor Ray of Braman, Oklahoma, and her brother-in-law, Leroy Ray.

Marilyn was preceded in death by her father and a nephew, Michael Forrest Davison.

Memorial donations are requested in lieu of flowers to either the Braman Firefighters or Intregris Blackwell Hospital Foundation Emergency Room Fund, in c/o Roberts and Son Funeral Home, 120 W. Padon, Blackwell, Oklahoma 74631.