Annie Merle Kilgore Marsh

January 15, 1954 – May 6, 2023

The family will receive friends at Stewart's Chapel United Methodist Church Friday, May 12, 2023,  from 10:00-11:00 a.m. A memorial service will follow at 11:00 a.m.

Merle Kilgore Marsh was preceded in death by her father Thomas Kilgore, mother Isabell Kilgore, siblings Eva Ogletree, Frances Wilson, Joyce Johnson, David Kilgore, Paul Mitchell Kilgore, Johnny Kilgore, Kenneth Kilgore; father-in-law Bob Marsh, mother-in-law Bobbie Nell Marsh; brother-in-law Sam Ogletree, brother-in-law Billy Johnson, sister-in-law Peggy Kilgore, sister-in-law Marie Kilgore, brother-in-law Brad Moore, and her nephew Kenny McBrayer whom she lovingly called her first baby.

She is survived by her husband Robert Mack Marsh, daughter Elizabeth Marsh Bolen (Eddie) & grandchildren Anna, Thomas, and Isabell, Eva & Lillian Bolen whom she aptly named her three little amigos; her son Robbie Marsh (Amber), grandchildren Madison, Peyton, and Morgan Marsh; her beloved son Albert Marsh; her daughter Annie Albarado (Albie), grandchildren Kate Marsh Cagle (Jadyn), Emily & Jonah Dasis, and Ruth and River Albarado; great-grandson Kainen Cagle; and her former son-in-law Joey Dasis. She is also survived by her sister Linda Blackman (Andy), Janice Wolfe (Steve), Carolyn Moore, Peggy Diane Foster (Roger), sister Bettie McBrayer (Kenneth), brother-in-law Donny Wilson, and a host of beloved nieces and nephews.

Merle was one of 13 children. She was born and raised in a house brimming with love for God and for each other. Her very first best friends were her siblings, and they would all become even closer in their later years. She grew up surrounded by biblical instruction, musical instruments and voice, books, and sweet brothers and strong sisters who taught her to be reliant on God, each other, and her own capabilities.

She dated her husband for about 2 months before they were engaged, and this past year they celebrated 47 years of marriage. She loved him as deeply as a woman could, and her love for him flourished as their time went by. They had four children and she instilled in them an undeniable knowledge that no one loved them more than their mama. She strove to teach her children to be truly good and kind people who have love and empathy for all God's people.

When her children grew older she worked alongside her husband at the family business of Farmer's Gin and Tractor Co. Even with no business training, she ran and managed it naturally and seamlessly. And while most of her time was spent in the office, she knew, by heart, every single part of every tractor, lawn mower, and machinery they sold.

A little later in life she was blessed with 13 grandchildren and one little fiery redheaded great-grandchild. She once said that she thought she knew love until she had her first grandchild, but she could have fooled all her children because they all thought they hung her moon. The first time she held one of her grandchildren, she said her heart was so full that she could barely catch her breath. Being with grandma was late night bedtime stories ("The Old Man & the Pot of Mush & the Barrell of Milk," and everybody's favorite, "Bloody Bones.") It was the annual production of The Birth Story which she recited word by word. Drinking black coffee and chopping with sharp knives ("Don't tell your mother"). Small hands deep in the earth tending to plants and learning the names of tomatoes, and the difference between a Bantum chicken and a Golden Comet. It was little kitchen helpers making glorious messes and rolling out dough for so long that the dumplings turned grey. Sewing little patches for doll blankets and making fancy doll clothes out of nothing more than half a sock and a few stitches. It was the signature kids' meal of buttered noodles & parmesan cheese she made for playing video games with Uncle Albert. It was catching fireflies just to free them in the house, and bedtime singing of "She'll Be Coming 'Round the Mountain." She blessed her grandchildren with the priceless gift of her time, attention, and boundless love; and the deep-seated belief that if someone loved them as much as Grandma then they must be pretty special.

Merle was loved by all; just to be in the same room with her was to fall in love with her. She was illuminated by a kindness, gentleness, and love that was so pure it could only be placed by God himself. Her spoken name was always followed by talk of how sweet she was, and she was often called Saint Merle. She believed that every human was worthy of God's love and grace. She could not comprehend how one could not forgive or hold hate. She carried a deep love for all people, and especially felt led to help those who were less fortunate and less appreciated. She had a natural gift for instantly soothing anyone's fussy baby or calming anyone in distress, if not by her soft touch, then by her voice, which had the cadence of an angel's. She was a wonderful cook and was known for her magnificent desserts, and her grandchildren's rock soup. She had the correct answer to nearly any question and could easily repair any broken thing put in front of her with just her fingers and a butter knife. She was fond of comfortable shoes, too-big hair (which she never ventured to have), good bread, overwhelmingly large yard sales, classical poetry, and early morning reading with a whole pot of coffee just before the world woke up. She loved a well-spoken sermon thick with scripture and the quiet solace found in a church pew.

Merle adored her family, husband, children, grandchildren, and great grandchild, and she loved us all completely and unconditionally. Her heart fully belonged to us, and we all knew it. When the world felt too heavy, we could rest in knowing that she would go to God on our behalf and also remind us that we were worthy of all the good things in this life. She was a selfless giver to all who would accept her love. For the last several years she devoted nearly every minute to taking care of her ill husband, so she especially looked forward to her three little amigos staying with her every weekend. The girls were her light, and she was theirs. They were all counting down the weeks until spending summer days & nights together, uninterrupted by time; full of fireflies, sultry days in swimsuits with muddy feet, and eating tomatoes straight off the vine. At the time of her passing, she and her girls were working on a to-do list entitled "Best Summer Ever."

Merle was the woman in Proverbs 31: 10-31. We are deeply beholden to our God for every second we had with her, as well as each of our beautiful memories of her. Surely our small part of this world is a little brighter, illuminated by God's love which shined through her.

In keeping with her heart of service, in lieu of flowers donations may be made to Feeding Alabama.