Marilyn M. Merkle

Marilyn Douglas Mullins Merkle, born February 3, 1938 in Birmingham, Alabama, died on August 10, 2017. Middle daughter of Thomas Augustus Mullins and Corinne Walker Mullins, Marilyn graduated from Woodlawn High School and, after a 20 year hiatus to rear her six children in Faunsdale, Alabama, she graduated from Birmingham-Southern College with a bachelor's degree in Psychology in 1982. Marilyn was a proud member of Pi Beta Phi fraternity for women. An active member of Berney Points Baptist Church, strong athlete, and tennis champion at 14, she survived the polio that could not cripple or prevent her from leading a loving and productive life. While living in the Black Belt for over thirty years, she was a community and church leader, working as a librarian at Judson College, an organist for Faunsdale Presbyterian Church, and a Faunsdale City Council member. She immersed herself in her children's lives, serving as cub scout den mother, tutor, cheerleader sponsor, marching band enthusiast, and occasional bail bondsman. She enjoyed hosting garden club, playing bridge, painting, and chauffeuring her children, who were her life, all over Marengo and Perry counties to their activities. When she returned to her hometown of Birmingham in 1993, Marilyn resumed her role as best friend and confident to her sister and numerous friends, and took on a new and favorite role of "Memmy" to her ever growing brood of grandchildren, who adored her. She was active in the Pi Beta Phi Birmingham Area Alumni Club, Birmingham Music Club, Regency Summit board member, her Post Polio Support Group, and as a hospice volunteer. An artist, she was a supporter of the Birmingham Museum of Art. Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents and her beloved older sister, Myra Augusta Mullins Baker. She is survived by her sister, Elease Mullins Smith, her children William Scott Merkle (Cindy) of Hillsdale, Michigan, Robert Charles Merkle (Sonya) of Rockville, MD; Melanie Merkle Atha (Steven) of Birmingham; David Darby Merkle (Molly) of Birmingham; Jonathan Cavaleri Merkle (Stacy) of Indian Springs; and Myra Elease Noble (Craig) of Birmingham; her grandchildren Amanda Jean Merkle, Richard Thomas Bass, Isabel Suzanne Merkle, Anna Corinne Merkle, Claire Elizabeth Merkle, Evan Charles Merkle, Zachary George Merkle, and Willam Barrett Noble; and her brother-in-law, David Remember Baker. Memorial service celebrating her life will be at Edgewood Presbyterian Church, 850 Oxmoor Road, Birmingham, AL, on Monday, August 14, at 11:00 am. Visitation immediately preceding at 10:00 am at the church. Burial will be at Forest Hills Cemetery with graveside service immediately folllowing the funeral. Ridout's Valley Chapel directing.

Arrangements under the direction of Ridout's Valley Chapel, Homewood, AL.