Sister Marilyn raised a son before joining Benedictines

Published: July 13, 2023

Sister Marilyn Doss, a member of the Olivetan Benedictine sisters at Holy Angels Convent in Jonesboro for 36 years, died July 4. She was 74.

Letha Marilyn Hollis was born in Whitefield, Okla., on June 16, 1949, to the late Marjorie Plep and Floyd Hollis. The family moved to Little Rock where she attended Our Lady of the Holy Souls School and first encountered the Olivetan Benedictine sisters. After raising her son, Paul, she entered Holy Angels Convent in 1988. She made first vows in 1989 and final vows in 1993.

Sister Marilyn spent her early years taking care of convent guests and serving at Benedictine Manor in Hot Springs. In 1990, she began working in the Pastoral Care Department at St Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro, where she visited patients for 30 years.

In 2014, she celebrated 25 years of religious life.

She was preceded in death by her parents; one sister, Virginia Winters; and one niece, Sheila K. Winters.

She is survived by her son, Paul Doss; twin sister, Louise Geer; one brother, Jim Hollis; three grandsons, Mitchell Doss, Dylan Doss and Trey Doss; two great-granddaughters, Ella Doss and Lila Doss; two nephews, David Geer and Neal Hollis; and one niece, Tammy Lyon.

The Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated July 8 in the convent chapel, and interment was in Mount Olivet Cemetery on the convent grounds.

Memorials may be sent to Holy Angels Convent Retirement Fund, 1699 CR 766, Jonesboro, AR, 72405.

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