Marilyn Thigpen Lisenby

Marilyn Thigpen Lisenby passed away peacefully on January 9, 2014. Marilyn was born on August 10, 1931 in Rome, GA to the late Clayton Thigpen and Elizabeth Messer Thigpen. She was predeceased by her first husband, William (“Bill”) Edwin Lisenby. Upon the premature deaths of her parents, Marilyn was raised and nurtured by her late, paternal grandparents, Chappell “Chap” and Nevada Griffis Thigpen at their home in Treutlen County, GA, outside of Soperton. After high school graduation, Marilyn lived and worked in Atlanta and received an Associate’s Degree in Business from what is now Georgia State University. While visiting home, in Soperton, Marilyn and Bill met and fell in love. They were married on March 8, 1953 and made their home in Atlanta while Bill completed his dental degree at Emory University and Marilyn worked with General Mills and Chrysler corporations. With Marilyn’s encouragement and support, the couple moved to Montreal, Canada where Bill pursued post-doctoral studies in orthodontics at the University of Montreal, and Marilyn worked for Dominion Import & Export, LTD.

After completion of Bill’s studies in Montreal, they moved to Macon where he established his orthodontic practice in 1959. Marilyn (“Boots”) remained his soul-mate and partner in all things throughout Bill’s life and their 53 years of marriage. Marilyn was devoted to her family, and tirelessly strove throughout her life to maintain a beautiful house and to create for them a wonderful home. Marilyn faced and overcame many obstacles in her life, but always remained a resolute lady of beauty, intelligence, wit, vivacity and courage. She had many interests and activities that she supported over many years including Hill and Dale Garden Club, her Bridge Clubs, the Bibb County Dental Auxiliary, Middle Georgia Historical Society, Historic Macon Foundation, gardening and traveling with Bill, but most importantly tending to her family. In her final years, after Bill’s passing, Marilyn was happily married to George Skene, whom she loved very much and who brought her great joy, support and happiness.

Remaining to honor and cherish her memory, are Marilyn’s many wonderful friends and her family, who include her husband, George Neil Skene, Sr., three children, William Clay Lisenby (Lea), Nancy Carole Lisenby, and Blake Edwin Lisenby (Michael) , her grandchildren, William Shaw Jenkins, Caroline Ruth Lisenby and Elizabeth Vann Lisenby, and her former daughter-in-law, Michelle Sullivan Lisenby, all of Macon, her stepchildren, Neil, Mary, Pate and Lynn Skene, her sister, Betty Ann Spivey, her nieces and nephew, Cathy Mullis James and Al and Beth Spivey and many other family members as well as her dear assistant, companion and friend during her last two years, Shirley Troupe. The family wishes to thank all of the staff members at Carlyle Place, Home Instead Senior Care, the Medical Center of Central Georgia and Pine Pointe Hospice for their support and care.

Following a private burial, the family will greet family and friends at Snow’s Memorial Chapel, Cherry Street beginning at 3:00 PM on Sunday, January 12, 2014 with a memorial service beginning at 4:00 to honor Marilyn’s life. Those who wish may make donations to the Lisenby Scholarship Fund, Reformed Theological Seminary, 5422 Clinton Blvd., Jackson, Mississippi 39209; Historic Macon Foundation, 935 High Street, Macon 31201; Macon Symphony Orchestra, 400 Poplar Street, Macon 31201 or to the donor's favorite charity.