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Marie R. Tison, age 93, widow of the late Richard Anthony Tison, passed away at Conway Medical Center in Conway, SC on Wednesday, February 11, 2026 following a brief illness. Born in 1932 in the majestic mountains of East Tennessee, Marie was the daughter of the late Thomas Jefferson Rogers and the late Minnie Anne Wilson Rogers. She was proud of her father, a train conductor who aided the war effort by transporting iron ore out of the mines in Embreeville, TN, where her ancestors had lived since the late 1700’s. Her mother was an expert seamstress and raised seven children and each year a bountiful garden, that fed her family and any community members in need. Marie was the first member of her family to graduate from high school and graduated with honors from Unicoi County High School in Erwin, TN. Soon afterward she moved to Washington, DC, to work for the FBI. While working there, she met and married the love of her life, Richard Anthony Tison at the Foundry United Methodist Church in DC in 1954 and they enjoyed 62 years of marriage prior to his death in 2016. Richard was a member of the USAF, they traveled extensively during his career and resided in South Carolina, Texas, Arizona and Tennessee and Hawaii. They retired in Alexandria, Louisiana to be near family and their beloved church, The Pentecostals of Alexandria. Marie believed that sharing the good news of Jesus Christ was her most important mission in life. Even until her death she encouraged others to allow Jesus to transform their lives. We find comfort in knowing that she, herself, was transformed in a single breath by her loving Savior, with whom she will live eternally. In addition to her husband and parents, she was predeceased by her siblings, Howard Rogers (Evelyn), Velma Rogers Lewis (Tony) Peggy Rogers, Ed Rogers, (both deceased as children during spinal meningitis outbreak) Jack Rogers (Delores) Johnny Rogers (Saundra) Survivors include her children, Peggy Kirkby (Tim), Karen Hills (William), and Richard Tison (Karen Sue); her grandchildren, Heath Hampton, Ashley Carruth Fowler (Billy), Beckett Hills (Ellie), Houston Hampton, Meagan McLaughlin (Ben) Blake Tison (Rachel), Kristin Kirkby Shaw (Aaron), Timmy Kirkby; her great-grandchildren, Abigail Johnson (Robert), Payton Fowler, Hannah Jennings (Judah), William Fowler, Wyatt Fowler, Katherine Fowler, Charlotte Fowler, Eleanor Fowler, Anessa Fowler, Maggie Hills, Violet McLaughlin, Meredith McLaughlin, Thatcher Tison, Kyle Kirkby, Brendan Kirkby and Elizabeth Kirkby; her great-great grandchildren, Azariah Johnson, Boaz Johnson, Evelyn Johnson, and baby Jennings on the way; many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, and other extended family and friends. Mrs. Tison will be laid to rest with her husband at Arlington National Cemetery later this Spring. Goldfinch Funeral Home, Conway Chapel, is in charge of arrangements.

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Marie R. Tison

September 19, 1932 - February 11, 2026