Marilyn was born to Carmon Alfred and Katie Marguerite Grounds, on April 18, 1944, in Kincaid, Fayette County, West Virginia. She was a proud West Virginian, the daughter of a coal miner and a teacher, a heritage that shaped her connection to the community where she was raised. She was the youngest of five children and was later followed by a younger sibling who passed away shortly after birth.

After graduation from Collins High in Oak Hill, WV, Marilyn attended West Virginia Institute of Technology in Montgomery, WV, for several semesters before marrying Roy Allen Evans of Montgomery Heights, WV, who had just accepted a commission from the U.S. Navy. As a naval officer’s wife, Marilyn embarked on a life that took her all over the country, but the family managed to make it back to WV for many holidays. Their first child, daughter Jean-Anne, was born in Ft. Payne, AL, on their way back to Officer Training School in Pensacola, FL. Two and a half years later, her son Richard Bryant was born in San Leandro, CA. In 1979, the family moved to North Ogden, UT, where Roy took an engineering position; the two divorced shortly thereafter.

In 1982, Marilyn married Sergeant Kenneth Wayne Brooks, at that time a detective sergeant for the Ogden Police Department. They were sealed in the Ogden LDS Temple in 1984. Ken had three children, Marion, Rhett and Brenda. Marilyn loved the police culture and life and put all her efforts into homemaking and raising children. She enjoyed traveling, shopping and loved to read. Ken was a marathon runner, and she loved accompanying him to races with other police officers. The empty nesters moved to Washington Terrace, UT, in 1995, where the two lived for the rest of their lives.

Marilyn is survived by her daughter Jean-Anne (Michael) Butler of Fredericksburg, VA; her grandchildren Scott (JaCee) Erickson of Layton, UT; Michelle (Christian) Hand of Colorado Springs, CO; and Alicia Butler of Arlington, VA. She is also survived by her seven great-grandchildren and Ken’s children and grandchildren, of whom she was very proud. She is also survived by her sisters, Janet (Jackson) Reed of Aiken, SC; Patricia Franklin of Aiken, SC; and her sister-in-law, Elaine Grounds of Magnolia Springs, AL.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth Brooks; her son, Richard Evans; parents, Carmon and Katie Grounds; her brothers, Ronnie, Kenneth, and Carmon Grounds; and her brother-in-law, Benjamin Franklin and sister-in-law, Katherine Grounds.

Marilyn leaves behind family who will miss her greatly, but they find comfort knowing she is reunited with her husband, son, parents, and siblings who passed before her. She is once again surrounded by the family she loved.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, August 15, 2026, at 2 p.m. at Lindquist’s Ogden Mortuary, 3408 Washington Blvd. Friends may visit with family on Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. at the mortuary. Interment, Marilyn will be laid to rest beside her husband, Ken, and her son, Rick, at Lindquist’s Washington Heights Memorial Park, 4500 Washington Blvd.

The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to the LDS 13th Ward Bishop, visiting teachers, and the many others who visited Marilyn and brought meals, gifts, and friendship throughout the years. They also extend sincere thanks to her wonderful friends and neighbors at Ridgemont Condominiums, who looked after her with kindness and continue to support and bless our family.

Condolences may be shared at: www.lindquistmortuary.com.