Marion Clair Sayles

Marion Sayles was born on June 20, 1963, in Las Vegas, Nevada, to Silas and Rose Scott. She was the eldest of their two children. At the age of six, Marion experienced the loss of her mother, Rose, when God called her home. She was later blessed with another mother, Arlone, who loved her as her own. Together, Silas and Arlone nurtured and supported a blended family of nine children.

As a young girl, Marion had a passion for doing hair for neighbors and friends. That passion led her to graduate from Southern Nevada Vocational Technical High School (VOTECH), where she specialized in Cosmetology. Though she was always a hairstylist at heart, Marion also built a strong career in culinary roles at the Desert Inn, MGM Grand, and JW Marriott. She was a dedicated and hardworking woman, a trait she learned from her father.

Marion accepted Christ at an early age and was raised at Grace Immanuel Missionary Baptist Church. As an adult, she became a longtime member of Calvary Southern Baptist Church, where she found great joy singing in the Majestic Choir.

Marion’s life was a masterclass in strength, resilience, and kindness. She raised her children to embody those same values with love and intention. She extended that love to everyone she encountered, with a gift for making people feel seen, included, and welcomed. When she married John Sayles in 2010, sharing that love with an extended family came naturally.

She was happiest when hosting a great party, completing one of her many puzzles, or baking alongside her granddaughter, Mya Lynn. Her magnetic personality and lively spirit will remain with all who were blessed to know and love her.

Marion leaves to cherish her memory her husband, John Sayles; daughters, Jocelyn Mckinney (Derrod), Latasha Sampson (Sammy), Helecia Sayles, and Octayvia Sayles, all of Las Vegas, Nevada; sons, Fred Primm III, Anthony Sayles, and Marcellus Sayles, all of Las Vegas, Nevada, and Marcus Sayles of Reno, Nevada; brothers, Silas Scott, Jr. and Calvin Paschal of Las Vegas, Nevada; sisters, Elma Mae Dixon of Moreno Valley, California, Linda Colbert (Aubrey) of Galveston, Texas, Cynthia Addams of Dallas, Texas, and Donna McDowell and Marilyn Foster (James) of Las Vegas, Nevada; sister-in-law, Helicia Thomas; mother-in-law, Helois Pressley; and Godmother, Annie Holliday; eight grandchildren; and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Silas Scott, Rose Scott and Arlone Paschal, and her siblings, Jacqueline Perkins and Donna Hening.