Marilyn Wade Farmer

Marilyn was the eldest child of Harry and Bernice Wade, born in Chicago, IL in 1939. Marilyn and her family relocated to Georgia when she was a young girl, first to Athens and then Atlanta. She attended Athens High School, and graduated from Grady High School in 1957. She enrolled in St. Joseph’s Nursing School, but she was not allowed to continue upon her marriage to Leon Farmer Jr. as married students were not permitted. They were blessed with four children, Terri, Lisa, Joni and Leon III.

While raising her family, Marilyn was an active member of the Athens community, serving with Athens March of Dimes drive, Athens Cancer drive, the Mental Health Association, and the Athens Women's Club. She also became a licensed pilot in 1977. Along with her daughter Joni, she attended the Cordon Bleu in London, UK in 1978. The same year, she joined the Athens-Clarke County Planning Commission, which was the beginning of her leadership in government. With her children in college, she subsequently returned to nursing school and graduated from the Medical College of Georgia School of Nursing in 1985 with her Bachelors of Science in Nursing.

She began her nursing career at Athens Regional Medical Center in the Family Care Unit in 1985. Shortly thereafter, she was elected to the Clarke County Board of Commissioners in 1986, which she continued to serve as District 6 commissioner in the unified Athens-Clarke County Board of Commissioners until 2001. During that time, she worked full time at Family Life Enrichment Centers and Arbor Terrace of Athens, and she served on the Board of Directors for the Northeast Georgia Police Academy, Georgia Home Health Care, and the Clarke County Board of Health.

Later in life, Marilyn continued to devote her time to serving the Athens community as well as her calling as a nurse. She was appointed to the Hospital Authority of Clarke County, the Classic Center Authority and later, their Foundation. She became the first registered nurse to be appointed to the Athens Regional Medical Center Board of Trustees, serving as its chair from 2007-2009. She subsequently served as chair of the Athens Regional Health Services Board of Trustees from 2009-2015. During this time, she worked for Athens Heritage and Odyssey Hospice until her retirement in 2013.

Marilyn was honored by the community that she loved so much at several points during her career. In 2008, the Mall Access Road was renamed Marilyn Farmer Way to highlight her achievements with the Athens-Clarke County Board of Commissioners. She also received the J.W. Fanning Humanitarian of the Year Award in 2012. In the same year, she received the Athena Leadership Award, given yearly by the Chamber of Commerce to women who reach the highest level of personal and professional leadership, excel in their field, and devote time and energy to their community, a principle which Marilyn embodied throughout her lengthy career of service in Athens. She believed that the development of female leadership was essential to the future of the community, and she was a pioneer for increasing female involvement in the Athens area.

Throughout her service to the community, Marilyn was also the loving matriarch of her family, particularly encouraging her children and grandchildren to continue as leaders, and a devoted friend to many, as well as loyal Georgia Bulldawg. At the end of her life, she enjoyed theatre and symphony at the Classic Center, spending time with her fellow Athenas, watching Georgia win football games, birdwatching, and most importantly, spending time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her parents; her younger brother, Harry “Skeets” Wade; her beloved daughters, Terri Leigh Farmer and Lisa Rene Farmer Alexandra; and her great-grandson, Mac Frobos. She is survived by her son, Leon Farmer III and daughter-in-law, Rebecca Farmer; her daughter, Joni Farmer Ingram and son-in-law, Corey Ingram, as well as her grandchildren, Dr. Therese (Ryan) Anderson, Philip (Emily) Frobos, David (Stephanie) Frobos, Susan (Trey) Kemp, Beau Farmer and Brooke Farmer; her great-grandchildren, Mason Frobos, Sam Anderson, Eloise Kemp and Virgil Frobos.

The family would like to thank the staff at Arbor Terrace of Athens and Agape Hospice for their loving care of Marilyn.

In lieu of flowers, the family would request donations to the Piedmont Athens Regional Foundation or Classic Center Foundation.

A celebration of Marilyn’s life is planned at the Classic Center on Sunday, November 12, from 2-4 pm. Please drop in to share your memories of Marilyn with her family and friends. No formal service will be conducted per her wishes.

Bernstein Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.