Marilyn Aldridge

Marilyn went home to glory on September 20, 2017 to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Visitation will be held at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road in Abilene, on Friday, September 22, from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 23, at Aldersgate United Methodist Church with Rev. Amy Wilson Feltz and Pastor Randy Roy officiating. Burial will follow at Elmwood Memorial Park. She was born on October 17, 1939, to H.H. (Jake) and Loujena Sheppard King in Abilene, Texas. She was the youngest of their three children. She graduated from Abilene High School and received her Bachelor's Degree from McMurry College (now University) in 1961. At an early age, she accepted Jesus as her Savior, while attending a revival at her Grandmother King's church in Pittsburg, Texas. Marilyn married the love of her life, J.W. "Spud" Aldridge in June,1977. Their love story was beautiful. They loved being together and rarely did you see one of them without the other. She loved being a coach's wife. She missed only one of Spud's games in all the years that he coached. She was Spud's and his team's number one fan. She was considered by many of Spud's football players to be their very best cheerleader and second mom. Marilyn was a well-loved and respected elementary teacher for 27 years. She mentored many student teachers throughout her career. In 1996, she was chosen "Elementary Teacher of the Year" from the nominees from Abilene ISD, Wylie ISD and Abilene Christian Schools. This was an honor that Marilyn truly cherished. After retirement, Marilyn spent many hours volunteering for her church, Noah Project, Hendrick Home for Children, and for eighteen years with Meals on Wheels. She was an active member of Aldersgate United Methodist Church where she served on, chaired or co-chaired many committees, including Worship Committee, Board of Trustees, and Family Life Committee. She belonged to the Wesley Open Door Sunday School Class. She was active for many years in the Martha Circle of United Methodist Women. The "Angel Tree" ministry was particularly close to her heart. She loved working with the children of the church in Vacation Bible School, and "Sights Sounds, and Smells of Christmas." She enjoyed decorating for many events at her church, as well as its annual rummage sale which benefitted local missions. She was an active member of Abilene Retired Teachers Association and Zeta Psi Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma. Marilyn was a wonderful Christian role model and loving mother to her children. She loved dearly and thoroughly enjoyed her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and was around them whenever she had a chance. Spud and Marilyn both loved Country-Western dancing and music. They belonged to several dance clubs. Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents, her and Spud's children, Greg Snowden and Nanette Aldridge, and granddaughter Kendra Frymire. She is survived by her husband, J.W. "Spud" Aldridge, daughter Lori Frymire and husband Tommy of Abilene, daughter Darla Laughter and husband Turner of Boerne, and son Bill Aldridge and wife Shirli of Denver CO, her precious grandchildren whom she adored: Jake, Jarod, Abby, Jessie, Louie, Catie, Eddie, Chad, and Kristi. She is survived by a brother, Holman King and wife Janie of Granbury and a sister, Carolyn Cloud of Lubbock. Many nieces and nephews also survive her. Pallbearers will be Brad Birchum, Mark Behrens, and grandsons, Jake Snowden, Jarod Snowden, Jessie Aldridge IV and Eddie Aldridge, Rodney Cox, Gary Cloud, Tommy Standard, Jimmy Standard, and David Standard. Honorary pallbearers will be teachers, staff, and students whose lives touched Marilyn. Memorials may be made to the Coach Spud Aldridge Endowed Scholarship, Office of Institutional Advancement, Box 938, McMurry University Station, Abilene, Texas 79697, Aldersgate United Methodist Church, or Noah Project. Her family appreciates and would like to thank the staffs of Hendrick ICU and Hendrick Hospice for the wonderful and loving care that she received from them.