Clayton, NC: Mrs. Marilyn O’Meara, age 79, passed away on Friday, June 12, 2026 at UNC Johnston Health in Smithfield, NC surrounded by her loving family. Memorial Services will be 11:00AM Tuesday, June 16, 2026 at the Rose & Graham Funeral Home Chapel in Benson. Officiating will be Pastor Kris Romito. The family will receive friends following the memorial service.

After retiring from the hospital, Marilyn remained connected to the place and people she cared about so deeply. Each year, she lovingly handcrafted breast cancer awareness ribbons and distributed them at the hospital, touching countless lives with her compassion and dedication to supporting others. This annual tradition became a meaningful expression of her caring spirit and her desire to make a difference. She also found great happiness at the senior center, where she enjoyed spending time with friends, sharing laughter, conversation, and companionship. The friendships she built there brought her much joy and enriched her life in countless ways. Those who knew Marilyn will remember her warm heart, gentle nature, and unwavering love for family and friends; especially her husband Bill. She had a special gift for making people feel welcome and cared for, and her kindness left a lasting impression on everyone she met, and she never met a stranger. Though she will be deeply missed, her legacy of love, generosity, and service to others will continue to live on in the hearts of all who knew her.

In honor of Marilyn's memory, if you are attending her memorial, please wear pink or a pink ribbon if you would like to. It would also have warmed her heart if you would do an act of kindness or generosity for someone in her memory. She would also tell you to get those tatas checked every year!

Survivors include husband, William O'Meara; children, Tina Mills (Cory), Terrie Lagunas, Mari Blackmon (Terry); step-children, Natalie O'Meara & Ryan O'Meara; grandchildren, Braden, Bailee, Tony, Justin, Crystal (Ali), Joshua, Dakota (Chyann), Austin; great-grandchildren, Cash, Zoe, Sophia, C. J., Yanniz, AnaLee, Angela, Ellie, Colton.

The family appreciates your thoughts and prayers.

Arrangements by Rose & Graham Funeral Home in Benson, NC.