Marilyn House

Marilyn House was the high school sweetheart and wife of Colonel (retired) John M. House and the mother of four wonderful daughters, Shannon Jennings, Amanda Merritt, Mary House, and Carole House. She grew up in Columbus, GA, graduating from Hardaway High School in 1971. Marilyn worked summers in her father’s real estate office and then attended Columbus College. She then married John in 1973 and moved to Auburn to be with him in his Army career. For 26 years, Marilyn and John lived around the world including 6 years in Germany and 2 years in South Korea. They also lived around the United States from Georgia to North Carolina to Kansas and Rhode Island. Marilyn served in spouses clubs and other support groups always helping Soldiers and their families while raising four daughters, caring for dogs along the way, and trying to keep John out of trouble. Numerous churches and schools thanked her for her volunteer work. When the girls were in Girl Scouts, she was always there. Marilyn also was a Red Cross volunteer when she really did not like being around needles. She also served as the Columbus High School Band Booster president when her twins were in high school. Marilyn volunteered at the National Infantry Museum for over 14 years. Simply put, Marilyn House was always there when a volunteer was needed. She received numerous certificates of appreciation around the world, the Field Artillery Order of Molly Pitcher, the U.S. Army’s Commander’s Award for Civilian Service three times, the Army’s Outstanding Civilian Service Medal, and the Meritorious Public Service Medal. When John was a Columbus Consolidated Government Councilor, more than one person commented that Marilyn should be receiving pay because she was always present when John attended an event. Marilyn was the author of Home is Where the Movers Leave You, a chronicle of her life with John and their family. She has been the wind beneath John’s wings wherever they went.

Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Demar McEathern, and a brother, Michael McEathern. She is survived by her husband John and their four daughters, Shannon Jennings (Joe), Amanda Merritt (Curtis), Mary House, and Carole House as well as her sister Pam Yoder (Geoff). Marilyn is also survived by three grandchildren, Ginny Merritt, Bo Merritt, and Vanessa Jennings.

The funeral service will be held at 2:00 PM February 21, 2025 at Golden Acres Baptist Church in Phenix City, AL. Friends may visit the family at Golden Acres beginning at 11:30 am. Burial will follow at Park Hill Cemetery in Columbus, Georgia at 3:15PM. If you attend, please wear red, white, and blue or bring a small American flag. That would make Marilyn very happy because she was very proud to be an American.

In lieu of flowers, Please donate to your church, Golden Acres Baptist Church, the National Infantry Museum Foundation, Seneca Choices for Life, Southern Grace Hospice, or the Alzheimer’s Association in lieu of flowers.