Marlene Ann Rogier Oliver Evans age 69 of Rockwood, TN, passed away suddenly at her home, 210 North Belle Avenue, on Monday October 28, 2012. She was born on July 30, 1943, at the Fosteria City Hospital, in Fostoria, Ohio. She was the daughter of John Leonard Rogier of Leopold, Indiana and Grace Evelyn Oman Rogier of Eagle City, Ohio. She was the second child born to them. Their first child, Dean Carlton Rogier, died at birth on March 11, 1937, at the Fosteria City Hospital. Marlene's father owned a successful diner in Fosteria, but later purchased a marina, a diner, and several cabins on Put-In Bay in Port Clinton, and moved his family there in the early 40's. She attended private Catholic schools until attending high school at Port Clinton High, where she graduated with the Class of 1961. She met her sweetheart and future husband Bill Oliver while taking steel guitar lessons. Her husband Bill was a graduate of the Class of 1963. Before she married Bill, Marlene attended nursing school in Toledo, Ohio. Then later, she and Bill attended barber school, where they attained their master barber certifications and licenses. Marlene and Bill owned and operated a successful barber and beauty shop for several years, until Bill's sudden death on February 4, 1982. She and Bill were also involved with the local entertainment scene in Port Clinton, where they formed a band and played in local night clubs. Bill was an accomplished guitar player, and Marlene was the band's lead singer and steel guitar player. Her trained voice was reminiscent of Patsy Cline and Emmy Lou Harris. Simply beautiful to hear and experience.

Marlene and Bill's lives were made complete and full of joy when on November 29, 1967, their son Douglas James was born, and again on March 26, 1970 when their daughter Deborah Jo was born. Their first child, Dean Patrick, was born on August 3, 1966 at Providence Hospital in Sandusky, and died a day later from complication at birth.

Marlene met and later married Anthony (Tony) Marvin Evans on August 14, 1982, in Grainger County Tennessee. To this union, Tony brought his two children, John and Kara Beth. Marlene moved her family to East Tennessee shortly after, and settled first in Kingston, then later to her historic antebellum home in Oliver Springs, and finally to her residence in Rockwood, where she lived at the time of her death. She and Tony divorced in 1993 and remained friends.

A new chapter in Marlene's life began in 1990 when she attained certifications in Computer Science, and she used her advanced skills as a senior administrative assistant with the Department of Energy, Oak Ridge Office, Y-12 Weapons Facility, and the K-25 Enrichment Facility. Marlene also attained her GRI Realator License in 1991. She worked part-time for Linda Brown Reality in Oak Ridge. She retired from the Fire Protection Group at K-25 in October 2011. For a brief period in 2007, Marlene worked for Parsons Corporation, serving as lead database technician, with the State Department at the U.S. Embassy, in Baghdad, Iraq. Marlene's co-workers and friends called her everything from miracle worker, sister, to "mother hen." She was loved and admired by everyone who knew her.

Marlene was courageous, witty, smart, and had a wonderful sense of humor. She was not afraid to try anything; tackling everything from home wiring, plumbing, wallpapering, sewing, painting - she could do anything around the house. She was also a wonderful cook. She brought her love of Polish and Italian cooking to East Tennessee, where she introduced her hillbilly friends to her many wonderful dishes. She also had a magical green thumb - where she enjoyed growing her magnificent roses and lilies. Her life was made complete when her grandchildren were born: William Ryan Barry on June 8, 1992, and her namesake, Marlena Elyse Alexander, on August 5, 2002.

Marlene is survived by her daughter and son in-law Deborah and Bobby McFalls of Kingston, Tennessee; by her son and daughter in-law Douglas and Angie Oliver also of Kingston; Her grandchildren Ryan Barry and Marlena Alexander; and her best friends and Bingo buddies since 1983, the "Golden Girls" Victoria Lawson of Harriman, Tennessee, and Lois Daughtery O'Shell of Rockwood, Tennessee.

The family will receive friends from 6pm until 8pm Thursday Evening, November 1, 2012, at the Kyker Funeral Home in Kingston. Her memorial service and burial will be in Port Clinton, Ohio, where she will be entered beside her first love and husband, Bill Oliver.

We, her family and friends, will never forget her and will cherish her love and friendship forever. She was one of a kind and made the world a better place to live. Rest in eternal peace my best friend, my sister. Save me a seat next to you in heaven.

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Life is but a stopping place,
A pause in what's to be,
A resting place along the road,
to sweet eternity.
We all have different journeys,
Different paths along the way,
We all were meant to learn some things,
but never meant to stay...
Our destination is a place,
Far greater than we know.
For some the journey's quicker,
For some the journey's slow.
And when the journey finally ends,
We'll claim a great reward,
And find an everlasting peace,
Together with our Lord.