Marilyn Matilda Gatewood, only child of Mattie Frances Miller Gatewood, married twice. Her first husband Buford Durrett, was a farmer and Northrop Aircraft manager. Her second husband, Farley Jenkins, worked in U.S. Senate for twenty-five years.

Born in temple, Oklahoma, Marilyn worked at yeildings department store form afe 13 to 19. Noted for her musical and artistic talent, she won several awards. Her main interest was business; she wrote a grant for temple public schools, and owned boutiques in Temple and Lawton. Now nearly ninety, Marilyn lives in an indepedent living community Houston, Texas and remains a fashion icon.