Marilyn Alessa King Sledge

She lived in San Antonio briefly as a child while her father served at Brooke Army Medical Center. She then moved to Pensacola, Florida where she spent her formative years. She graduated from Pensacola Academy of Arts and Sciences in May 1975 with highest honors. She spent the next four years at her beloved Sewanee in Tennessee, graduating Magna Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa with a degree in political science. She attended Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law graduating in 1982 with her J.D. She then moved to San Antonio joining the firm of Oppenheimer, Blend, Harrison and Tate. She then became the senior counsel at La Quinta Corporation. Her last years practicing law were spent at Norman and Oliver from which she retired in 2009.

She married Dr. Scott Sledge on April 17, 2009. She and Scott then worked together in his orthopedic surgery practice. Marilyn was diagnosed with stage IV Glioblastoma multiforma, a form of brain cancer in 2011. She fought a valiant battle against this aggressive disease, ultimately succumbing to it on December 22, 2014.

Marilyn loved the beauty of God's creation and enjoyed almost any activity that involved outdoors. She was a natural athlete who succeeded at many sports but was best known as an "ace" tennis player. She played competitively for many years and thoroughly enjoyed her tennis "girls" and their many happy hours.

Marilyn was deeply spiritual and developed a relationship with Jesus Christ at a young age. She was a voracious reader and was always in search of answers to her penetrating questions. She was a friend extraordinaire to anyone she happened to meet.

She will be missed by all who knew her, especially her husband Scott and dear friends, Virginia King, Cheryl Freed and Anne Brewer. Marilyn gave 110% of herself to everything she did. Even while battling cancer she delivered lunches to shut-ins with Meals on Wheels. She felt it her mission to be a listening ear and an uplifting spirit to those in need, especially when receiving chemotherapy.

She is indebted to the loving and expert care she received from Dr. Lisa Fichtel, Dr. Andrew Brenner and Dr. Thomas Kingman. She was always thankful for the loving and wise counsel of Siri Bletzer, the loving touch of Diane Hargroder, the soft voice of her prayer partner, Sara Ames, and the support of her dear friend, Amy Kipnes who covered her transportation needs during her many months of chemo. She also wishes to thank her caretakers and nurses from the Home Instead Agency as well as Vitas Hospice Care. Marilyn was the picture of grace during a difficult time and always gave God the glory. Her life was a testimony to her Christian faith until her last breath.

Those left to cherish her memory include her loving and caring husband Scott, stepdaughter Claire Sledge, Malibu, California, stepson Forrest Sledge stationed at NAS Lemore, California, her mother Jeanette King, Pensacola, Florida, brother, Allen King, Pensacola, Florida her cousins/sister/best friend, Kathy Hoggatt and her husband Allen and their family, Flower Mound, Texas, her aunt Jewell Eagan and her family, Pensacola, Florida. Her sister-in-law, Suzy Sledge and her daughter Alex and husband Rob, sister-in-law Linda Sledge and her daughter Cate, her brother-in-law John and his wife Kalen, his son Gavin, his daughter Meagan and husband Will, EmmaKate, Allie and Ellen. Marilyn was predeceased by her father Dr. Jerald Paul King and her brother Jerald Paul King, Jr. We feel secure that our dear Marilyn is resting peacefully in the loving arms of our Lord God.

MEMORIAL SERVICE

MONDAY

DECEMBER 29, 2014

3:00 P.M.

ST. LUKE'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH

11 ST. LUKE'S LANE

In lieu of flowers or other gifts make contributions in Marilyn's name to the Cancer Therapy and Research Center at UT Health Science Center San Antonio (makelivesbetteruthscsa.edu), or Meals on Wheels, administered through Christian Senior Services of San Antonio (www.christianseniorservices.org).