Maridell Gilreath

Funeral services for Maridell Gilreath, 93, of Rochester will be at 11:00 am on Thursday, January 6,, 2022, at Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Burial will be at Oakwood Cemetery. Maridell McCullough was born on October 10, 1928, in Searcy, AR, to Roy and Sarah (Person) McCullough. She died on December 30, 2021, at Samaritan Bethany in Rochester. Maridell grew up in Searcy, AR, and attended Searcy High School and Harding Christian College. She worked for the Searcy Daily Citizen Newspaper for ten years as a reporter, printer and editor. On June 28, 1953, she married Gerald Gilreath in Searcy. In 1961 they moved to Rochester, MN, where she helped her husband in the office of his realty/insurance business. They opened their home to anyone who needed a place to stay while in Rochester. After their children were grown and Gerald sold his real estate business, she continued clerical work for Plants PS, Brinks Pet Place, Samaritan Bethany Nursing Home, and Arbor Terrace. Maridell enjoyed music and playing piano. Her faith was important, and she was active at Second Street Church of Christ in Rochester, teaching children's classes and meeting any needs. Survivors include two sons, Steven Gilreath of Rochester, MN, and John (Dawn) Gilreath of Memphis, TN; one daughter, Cathy (Doug) Ford of Meridian, MS, and three grandsons, Spencer, Jackson and Campbell Gilreath, all of Memphis, TN. She was preceded in death by her parents, and her husband in 2008. Memorials are suggested to the House of Compassion in Rochester. Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Gilreath family; to share a special memory or condolence please visit www.ranfranzandvinefh.com