A celebration of the life of Marilyn Delaine Pippen Payne will be held Thursday, July 3, 2014, at 3 p.m. at Immanuel Baptist Church in Marshall, Texas, with the Rev. Carlton Burris officiating. Interment and final resting place will be at Colonial Gardens in Marshall. Marilyn, our "Mimi," went to join her loved ones in heaven and to be with her Savior, Jesus Christ, on Monday, June 30, 2014, in Longview, surrounded by her loved ones, following a long, courageous fight with Parkinson's disease. She was born on April 21, 1938 in Shreveport, La., the daughter of Cecil Maurice Pippen and Eugenia Bagley Hensley. She attended Fair Park High School in Shreveport, La., and attended Northwestern State University in Louisiana. There, she met the love of her life on earth, Jerry Ronald Payne. Marilyn and Jerry were married on Aug. 24, 1957 in Shreveport, La. and began a life and family together that spanned the next 57 years and also include lifelong friendships and relationships that still remain strong today. They moved to Marshall in 1977 with their five children, when Jerry became the band director at Marshall High School. Together, Marilyn and Jerry worked for Marshall Independent School District until their retirement, with Marilyn serving as a library aide at South Marshall Elementary School. Marilyn and Jerry were members of Immanuel Baptist Church, where they attended faithfully, rain or shine, up until the last days of her life on earth. Marilyn is survived by her husband, Jerry, who never left her side in 57 years of devoted marriage. Survivors also include two sons and daughters in law, Maldon and Regina Payne of Round Rock and Ronnie and Erin Payne of Minneapolis, Minn.; three daughters and sons in law: Donnis and Anthony Henderson of Hallsville, Melissa and Michael McCollum of Birmingham, Ala., and Jeannie and David Weaver of Hallsville; and 15 grandchildren, Jon and Amy Payne of Round Rock; Jacob and Jonah Goss and Grant Henderson of Hallsville; Morgan Payne of Tuscaloosa, Ala.; Katherine and Michael McCollum of Birmingham, Ala.; Coby, Melody, Abby and Lily Weaver of Hallsville; and Jaxon, Bronwyn and Charlotte Payne of Minneapolis, Minn.; a sister and brother in law, Richea and Norman Shockley from Lincoln, Calif.; a brother and sister in law, Dwain "Bubba" and Leila Pippen of DeBerry; several dear nieces, nephews and beloved family members; and a multitude of great friends and colleagues. She was preceded in death by her father, Cecil Maurice Pippen; her mother, Eugenia Bagley Hensley; and her mother in law, Opal Hammock Dulany. The family wishes to extend its sincere gratitude to Mrs. Pat Perkins, who helped provide care to Marilyn the last several years, and her recent friend and helper, Mrs. Laura Francis. The family also wishes to express its thankfulness to Dr. Shaun Kelehan. The family will welcome friends and the community during a visitation on Wednesday, July 2, from 6-8 p.m. at Downs Funeral Home in Marshall. Arrangements made by Downs Funeral Home.