Marlene Mashburn

Ruth Marlene Mashburn, 91, died September 11, 2022.

Born in Atlanta, GA, on August 20, 1931, she was a daughter of the late Mary Griffith and Worley Columbus Adams. She was also preceded in death by her brother and sister-in-law, Hoyt and Margie Adams of Grovetown, GA.

Marlene saw much of the country as a young girl traveling across the USA, often by train, along with her family, as her father was in the service with the then ‘Army-Air Force’. She also got to see much of Central and South America, including the Panama Canal zone from which they were evacuated back to the States during the outbreak of WWII in 1941. The most memorable times of her childhood were spent in California when her father was stationed at Hamilton Field in California. She spent many days visiting the beach, going to the movies, and playing with the other children on the base. After the War and upon the retirement of her father from the service, her family returned to Athens, GA where she finished high school at the Normal High School on Prince Ave. It was there that she met the love of her life, James Donald Mashburn, and they were married on November 10, 1950. They were married almost 72 years. Don and Marlene made their home in Athens, where she worked briefly first as a hair stylist, and then her most important job as a homemaker. She always made sure everyone was properly fed and clothed, often cutting out patterns and sewing new outfits for her children. She had a real love of arts and crafts, making Christmas ornaments and dolls. She was affectionately known as ‘Grammama’ by her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

She was a charter member of Oconee Heights Baptist Church, where she taught youth Sunday School classes and kept the nursery for many years. She is a current member of Forest Heights Baptist Church and also active in Sunday School.

Funeral services will be Thursday, September 22, 2022 at 2:00 PM at Forest Heights Baptist Church with Revs. Clay Crews, Mike Purdy and Ryan Wright officiating. Interment will follow in Attica Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 1:00 PM until 2:00 PM at the church.

Survivors include her husband almost seventy-two years, Don Mashburn; three children, Karen Mashburn (Kenny) Kilgore of Athens, GA, Jeanne’ (Jim) Lee- Pearce of Buford, GA, Greg (Kim) Mashburn of Warner Robins, GA; seven grandchildren, and eight great grandchildren.

Flowers are accepted. Memorials may be made to The Gideon’s International, c/o The Gideon’s International Processing Center, PO Box 97251, Washington, DC 20090-7251.

Lord and Stephens Funeral Home, WEST, Watkinsville, is in charge of arrangements. www.lordandstephens.com