Funeral services for Mrs. Marilyn Kendoyce Laird Vinson are at 11:00 am on Saturday, March 9th, 2024, at Solid Rock Pentecostal Church on Hwy 84 West in Brookhaven. Visitation will begin one hour prior to the service. Burial will be in Riverwood Memorial Park.
Mrs. Vinson, 84, passed away March 6th, 2024, at her residence. She was born in Brookhaven on February 11, 1940, to Brince Alden Laird and Corene Lewis Laird. Her parents moved the family to Louisiana where she grew up, but she always enjoyed summers in Mississippi. Her grandfather, J.B. Laird, began teaching her to lap drive at age 7, and eventually, she could drive anything from a Go Kart to a Dump truck. Her formal education was in Baton Rouge, and she graduated from Istrouma High School. She married James Edward Vinson, known as Sonny, on April 20, 1957.
She and Sonny began their young marriage living in New Orleans, Slidell, San Antonio and then back to Baton Rouge. She furthered her education with numerous business courses and soon went to work for the state of Louisiana, where she retired after 30 years. She was one of the first supervisors of the computer room. At that time, these were giant computers that kept track of all areas of state business. She also was a purchasing agent and always had first dibs on many items that the state resold after use, including a 1972 Cadillac that she and Sonny drove for many years. She was also very involved with her husband's heavy equipment business and helped manage their numerous rental properties. She and Sonny were astute businesspeople and would horse trade for just about anything. At the time of her death, she even owned a helicopter motor.
Her greatest joy and blessing from God was the birth of her son, Kendal, in 1960. Kendal, being the only child, was the pride and joy of the Vinson home. He enjoyed a happy, and often mischievous childhood, traveling with his parents, swimming, and riding one of his many dirt bikes. She took motherhood very seriously. When Kendal passed away at the young age of 15, both she and Sonny relied on their strong faith, their family, and their many friends to help them cope with such unimaginable heartbreak. One of their coping mechanisms became helping others in their times of need. They mentored numerous young people, often from broken homes, even taking them in at times. They helped many people get their first job, buy their first home, or their first car. Above all, she and Sonny ministered to them and led many to the Lord. They continued ministering to people throughout their lives and their faith was most evident in their golden years. She took her vows seriously, and lovingly cared for her husband until his passing in 2020.
She and Sonny were avid travelers, as long as they didn't have to fly. They visited 48 states. They never made it to Alaska because Sonny got sick on the way up there. They didn't go to Hawaii because there was no bridge to take them there. They were also frequent visitors to both Mexico and Canada. They would load up their motorhome at a minute's notice and take off wherever the road took them.
She often remarked that some of the best times of her life were
fellowshipping and camping with friends. She also was an accomplished musician and could play both the piano and the accordion by ear, having never taken a lesson. In their retirement years, she and Sonny longed for a quieter pace. After much prayer and thought, they sold their home in Louisiana and moved back to Mississippi, the place where it all began. They fell in love with the house they bought and loved their neighbors. They made friends instantly and became active
in Solid Rock Pentecostal Church. Kendoyce was an easy person to love, and she loved others with the same respect and devotion.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her grandparents, J.B. and Mamie Laird, and Clarence and Fannie Lewis; her husband, Sonny Vinson: and her son, Kendal Edward Vinson.
She is survived by her poodle, Cherie; her Laird cousins, Donald Gene Laird, Johanne Laird Simons, Guyia Laird, Steve Laird, Wanda Laird Griffin, and Kevin Laird and his wife Robin. She is also survived by several Lewis cousins, her husband's nieces and nephews, and her devoted caregivers including Becky Hall, Kristen Davis, Pam Graves, Tanya Foster, Sandra Ellis, and Darla Nash.
The family expresses appreciation to the staff of Accent Home Health for their care and devotion over the last few months. Also, to the caregivers of Arden Hospice for their kindness and guidance over the last few days. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Solid Rock Pentecostal Church, 322 Quitman Lane, Brookhaven, Mississippi.
