Marilyn was born on November 10, 1943 to Scott and Virginia Chaffin in Birmingham, Alabama. After graduating from Ensley High School in 1961, she went on to study medical technology at Auburn University in 1963. That same year, she married her childhood friend, Jim and they adopted two children, Scott and Jennifer.
A lifelong student, she continued her education and earned her teaching certificate at Valdosta State University, followed by a Master’s of Science, a Master’s of Education, and a Specialist and Doctorate of Educational Administration from Georgia State University.
Marilyn taught chemistry and earth science in DeKalb and Gwinnett Counties. She earned a Christa McAuliffe grant while teaching earth science at Lilburn Middle School and used it to create a space-science program, write an entire curriculum to support it, and build a space shuttle simulator from a decommissioned school bus. The “Space Bus" program she ran for middle schools throughout the county for over a decade. This initiative earned her the AJC and the Gwinnett County Teacher of the Year awards. She was extremely dedicated to her students and coworkers and was a mentor and “work mom" to so many. Eventually, she became an Assistant Principal at Lilburn Middle and South Gwinnett High Schools before officially retiring and returning to the classroom.
It is impossible to estimate the number of lives she touched, as she never met a stranger and was passionate about helping others. Her home was open to a multitude of exchange students, their families, cousins, god-daughters, kids, kids’ roommates, and anyone else who needed a place to stay. She was active in the Methodist Church throughout her life, and over the years was involved in youth ministries, Sunday school, choir, Samaritans’ Purse, Hands of Christ, Family Promise, and more. She made friends wherever she went, and forged strong friendships all over the world.
Family and friends were most important. Never did a holiday pass without a huge gathering of family and friends. In recent years, Marilyn hosted huge Christmas parties, 4th of July, Memorial Day and Labor Day celebrations in the family home or mountain cabin. She remained focused on her children throughout her life and valued spending time with them at every opportunity. The hole left by her absence is impossible to fill.
Marilyn is survived by Jim Davis, her husband of 57 years, her two children, Scott Davis and Jennifer Wade, their spouses, Tracy Joyce Davis and David Wade, granddaughters Crystal and Julie and eight great-grandchildren, cousin Jeane Parker who was like a sister to her, brother Scott Chaffin, sisters-in-law Jody Reid and Brenda Chaffin, four nieces and nephews and a multitude of grand- and great-grand nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends on Saturday, April 10, 2021 from 10:00 am to 11:00 am at Elmwood Chapel Funeral Home in Birmingham, AL with a Celebration of Life service for Marilyn following at 11:00 am. Burial at Elmwood Cemetery. A memorial service will also be held at Duluth First United Methodist Church in Duluth, GA in coming weeks.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.johnsridoutselmwoodchapel.com for the DAVIS family.
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