BENTONVILLE — Marilyn McElwee
Bogle passed away peacefully in her home January 23, 2020. She was born August 12, 1931, the daughter of Franklin Scarborough and Christine Lucille McElwee in Augusta, Arkansas.
She grew up in Augusta and graduated from Laura Connor High School in 1948. Soon after she met her future husband Robert L. (Bob) Bogle who upon graduation from the University of Arkansas had taken a position as County Inspector in the Woodruff County Health Department. The secretary assigned to him was Christine McElwee, Marilyn’s mother. After meeting Bob, needless to say she came up with numerous excuses to visit her mother at the office. They married in the First Baptist Church of Augusta on September 3, 1950, and left the next day for Chapel Hill, North Carolina for a year while Bob studied for and received his master’s degree. Upon Bob’s graduation in 1951, a job opening as County Inspector became available in Benton County and they moved to Bentonville. They arrived October 8,1951, and on October 15, 1951, they joined the First Baptist Church of Bentonville where they remained members for the next 69 years.
While raising her family she served as a Girl Scout leader of Troop 150 for 11 years, a member of the Bentonville PTA and a Sunday School teacher. Other activities included membership in the Bentonville Garden Club, the James Bright Chapter of DAR, and committee member for the Arkansas Governor’s Mansion.
Marilyn helped to develop the beautiful neighborhood around her by remodeling the surrounding houses, and along with Bob, created the picturesque Bogle Park which quickly became a favorite location for photographs, especially at prom time.
She was awarded the Arthur “Rabbit” Dickerson Pioneer Award Vista Chamber by the Bentonville-Bella of Commerce, and the Peel Museum Founders Day Award. Other recognitions include induction into the UofA Sports Hall of Honor for her loyal support, and the “Outstanding Friends” award by the UofA Horticulture Department. She and Bob were instrumental in the restoration of the Bentonville Train Station Depot and adjoining park.
On one of their first dates Bob took Marilyn to a Razorback football which for following began game a the lifelong in Razorbacks. Little passion Rock Over games the years and attending events became Razorback a family affair. Marilyn became especially interested in the UofA women’s sports and especially softball, basketball, and gymnastics. With their love for the University of Arkansas they endowed several academic and sports scholarships as well as contributing to many building projects on campus. She also served on Committee for the 21st Century, and the Red Tie Dinner committee.
After Bob’s retirement from Walmart, they enjoyed traveling throughout the world. They loved visiting gardens and bringing home new plants to their garden. Numerous areas around Bentonville reflect their landscaping contributions. One of their most memorable trips celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary which took them around the world traveling on the Air France Concord.
Marilyn always enjoyed planning parties and opening her home well the Bogle Jefferson as Park. for celebrating numerous She Street supported holidays neighbors events with numerous as in organizations charitable including causes the Walton and Arts Center, SoNA, AR Care, the NWA Children’s Shelter, the Bentonville Public Schools, and the Bentonville Public Library. She will always be remembered for her deep love of her family, community, and friends, and her generous giving of time and resources.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Franklin Scarborough and Christine McElwee. She is survived by her husband of 69 years, Robert L. Bogle of Bentonville; her children, son, David Bogle and wife, Tina from Bentonville, daughters, Becky Alexander and husband, Bob of Rogers, and Ann McKenzie and husband, Jim of Bentonville; three grandsons, Ben Bogle and wife, Sara of Destin, Florida, Marshall and Sam McKenzie of Bentonville; a granddaughter, Erin Easley and husband, Jason and their children, Lukas, Brittany, and Halie from Gravette, Arkansas; sister, Frances Scott and husband, Charley; sister-in-law, Wilma Bogle of Grove, OK and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral Services will be held at 1 p.m., Tuesday, January 28, 2020 Bentonville. at First Visitation Baptist Church will be in held time. from A private 11 a.m., burial until will service follow the ceremony. In lieu of flowers, memorials in her honor may be made to the Northwest Arkansas Children’s Shelter, the Helen Walton Children’s Enrichment Center, or AR Care of Augusta, Arkansas.
entrusted Arrangements to Stockdale have Moody been Funeral may Service be shared in Rogers. at stockdale-moodyfs.com. Memories