A native of Kentucky, Marilyn attended a Catholic church throughout her childhood. At the age of 17, she encountered the saving grace of Jesus at a retreat and gave her heart and life to Him (Ephesians 2:8-9). A passion for the Word and the work of God was birthed in Marilyn’s heart at that time. She moved to Jacksonville, Florida following her graduation from high school, where she met her husband, Mark.
In 1980, they joined First Baptist Church of Jacksonville. Marilyn became the Women’s Ministry Director in 2005, and served in that position until August 2022, overseeing the Women’s Ministry, as well as the Women’s Adult Sunday School ministries. In 2016, Marilyn received her ACBC Certification and has served as a counselor since that time. She currently serves as the Counselor of Women at First Counseling, the biblical counseling ministry of First Baptist.
Her heart’s desire is making disciples through “teaching them all that the Lord has commanded.” Her passion to teach the Word in “every-day” life application method is the motivation of her ministry. Her ministry is built on the truths of Colossians 1:29 “Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom that we may present everyone mature in Christ.
Marilyn and her husband, Mark, have one daughter, Katie. Their daughter is married to Aaron and they have a two children, Charlotte and Liam. In her spare time, she enjoys being a “Mimi” to her grandchildren, sewing, reading, knitting and walking their dog, Cooper.