Marianne Wellborn

23, at the age of 76, Marianne passed away peacefully after many years spent battling and

beating various cancers. Marianne is survived by her daughter Stacy Wellborn (Johnny Gwin);

brothers Brett Henson (Meg Henson) and Drew Henson; and many nieces and nephews.

Born in Meridian, Mississippi on Oct. 5, 1948, Marianne was the oldest of four and developed

her strength of will asserting the privilege of her birth order over her siblings. The family moved

around throughout Marianne’s formative year, with stints living in Hattiesburg, Mississippi;

Mobile, Alabama; and Tullahoma, Tennessee. Like a good Mississippi girl, Marianne attended

Ole Miss. Hotty Toddy. Her zest for life, plus the wanderlust instilled in her as a child, followed

Marianne throughout her life, which when not socializing, clinking glasses at happy hour and

dancing — or all three — was spent traveling to Europe and across the American South. In

adulthood, Marianne, along with her longtime partner Raymond Giacone, made their home in

Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where she worked for decades in sales, and later, office management.

Together, the couple enjoyed RV life and LSU football. Geaux Tigers.

In 2021, Marianne retired and moved to Mobile, Alabama, to be close to her daughter. Their

shared love of travel took the mother-daughter duo on many trips, most recently to New York,

New York; New Orleans, Louisiana; and Biloxi, Mississippi, to hit the casinos. Marianne loved

animals as much as she loved to travel, and she kept dogs throughout her life. Approximately

15 years ago, she took in a rescue pup, Bella, who comforted Marianne throughout her illnesses

and who charmed one of the caregivers at Somerby Retirement Community into adopting her

upon her human’s death.

Marianne was preceded in death by her father Edwin Brett Henson, mother Angie Ballard

Henson Skelton and sister Melinda Henson Gray.

The Memorial Service to celebrate Marianne’s life is on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025, at 10 a.m. at

Christ Church Cathedral, 115 S. Conception St., Downtown Mobile. In lieu of flowers, consider

honoring Marianne by contributing to any cancer organization, Krewe de Rescue or

Make-A-Wish Alabama — causes that reflected her caring heart.