Mrs. Marilyn Louise Thomas Rayon

Marilyn Louise Thomas Rayon was born in Michigan City, Indiana on October 6, 1951, to Terrell Sr. and Pearlie Mae Thomas. Marilyn accepted Jesus Christ as her Savior at a very young age. She loved attending church at New Hope Baptist Church in Michigan City, Indiana. She also loved the people at Windsor Village Church where she was a member and taught Sunday School. In 1969, Marilyn graduated from Elston Senior High School in Michigan City, Indiana. In 1979, she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Marketing from Davenport University. While working towards her degree, Marilyn was on the Dean’s list and was a Marketing Scholarship recipient. Marilyn continued her education by completing coursework at the Dale Carnegie Institute, Houston, Texas. While in Houston, she met and married the love of her life, Leo Rayon. In 1992, they celebrated the birth of their only child, Leo Paul II. Marilyn was employed at several companies before retiring from FEDEX as a Senior Agent in Customer Service. She eagerly accepted the chance to ‘unretire' when she was offered the role of Receptionist at The Power Center (now The Community Collective for Houston). She often shared with family and friends her love for The Power Center, its purpose, the business owners and clients. She greeted everyone with a welcoming smile! In 1992, the Rayon’s moved to the Southwest Crossing Community. In addition to being a loving wife, mother, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend, she was a caring neighbor and community activist. In June 2021, Marilyn and other community leaders founded South-west Crossing Community Initiative (SCCI); a grassroots organization whose goal is the relocation of a dangerous facility from their area. In 2023, Marilyn was among a group of Southwest Crossing residents who rose before dawn and traveled to Austin, Texas to testify before state legislators. Marilyn testified before the Senate committee. She was unapologetically purposeful, steadfast and unrelenting. She fought environmental injustices until she succumbed to pancreatic cancer. Marilyn loved her family, enjoyed traveling, cooking and interior decorating. She was proud of many things; however, she was most proud of her thirty-four-year marriage to Leo Sr., her son, Leo II, and his post-secondary degrees and musical accomplishments. On May 15, 2022, Marilyn wrote, “Jesus prepared His disciples for His leaving. Transition is inevitable.” Marilyn Louise Thomas Rayon passed away on Monday, June 16, 2025, at the MD Anderson Cancer Center surrounded by her loving family. She is preceded in death by her parents, and brother-in-law, Phillip Rayon. Marilyn is survived by her husband, Leo Paul Rayon Sr.; son, Leo Paul Rayon II; five siblings, Edith Thomas, Terrell Thomas Jr. (Daryl), Kenneth Thomas (Nita), DiLynn Thomas Phelps (Marcus Sr.), and Van Veen Thomas (Michelle); nieces, SaKinna Thomas Hunter, J.D., Dr. Jada Phelps, Jenna Thomas, and Ashley Rayon; nephews, Marcus Phelps II, Christopher Thomas, Errol Thomas, and Theodore “Dude” Rayon; brothers-in-law, Theodore Rayon (Sharon) and Charles Rayon; sister-in-law, Gertrude Rayon; special sisters, Deb Childs and Tuwona Poindexter, and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.

Mrs. Marilyn Louise Thomas Rayon

October 6, 1951 - June 16, 2025