Marilyn Taylor Ashworth

Marilyn Taylor Ashworth, of The Fountains in Calhoun, and formerly of the Rosedale Community, passed away on October 15, 2025. She was born on April 20, 1931, the daughter of the late Henry Lee and Stella Knight Taylor. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by: husbands, Rex E. Shugart (1965) and Otis W. Ashworth (2007); as well as sisters, Zeta Stewart and Anne Taylor.

Marilyn is survived by a sister Betty (Jimmy) Taylor, of Cordele, GA and a brother Van Taylor of Calhoun, a step-daughter, Rita Shugart of Greensboro, NC and one stepson, Neil Ashworth of Palm Springs, CA, as well as a number of much-beloved cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Marilyn was a proud graduate of Red Bud High School (1948) and was instrumental in the school’s adoption of the Cardinal as their mascot. She is also believed to be the last known survivor of those attending the original Red Bud “School-on-the-hill” located near Bethesda Baptist Church. Upon graduating from the Georgia State College for Women (1952) she began a 40-year career in education, primarily as Librarian/Media Specialist, at Ringgold, Red Bud, and Armuchee High Schools.

Either as a teacher, leader, or office holder, Marilyn was always very involved in the churches she belonged to, from Bethesda Baptist Church in Gordon County where she grew up, to New Armuchee Baptist Church in Floyd County where she was still teaching Sunday School at age 90. She even went on a mission trio to Brazil with her church while in her late 60’s. But that was just part of her love of traveling. Whether it was with family, church groups, or tour groups, Marilyn made many excursions across the US, Canada, Europe, The Holy Land, and as far away as Australia.

The family will receive friends on Saturday, October 18, 2025 from 5 PM until 8 PM at Thomas Funeral Home.

Funeral Services will be conducted on Sunday, October 19, 2025 at 2:30 PM from the Chapel of Thomas Funeral Home with Reverend David Howard and Reverend Lucas Butler officiating. Burial will follow in Fain Cemetery.

Pallbearers serving include: Loy Knight, David Knight, Brandon Knight, James Taylor, Jeff Taylor, and Woody Wyatt.

A very special thanks to the Staff and Residents of The Fountains in Calhoun that made the last few years of Marilyn’s life so enjoyable; and to the staff of Homespun Hospice, that cared for her with much love and compassion the final days of her life.

In addition to flowers, donations to purchase Bibles in honor of Marilyn may be made to The Gideons International by mail to P.O. Box 1254, Calhoun, GA 30701.

You may leave the family online condolences at www.thomasfuneralhomecalhoun.com

Thomas Funeral Home has proudly been entrusted with the care of Marilyn Taylor Ashworth.