Marianne McMichael

"Here I am Lord. Is it I Lord? I have heard you calling in the night..."
Marianne (Blackwood) (Gilmore) McMichael passed away surrounded by her loving family on September 15, 2025. She graduated from Franklin High School, Franklin, Massachusetts in 1967, and from Bridgewater State College in 1971 with a degree in English/Education. She taught middle school and high school literature and language arts for a total of thirty years in both Massachusetts and Florida, retiring in 2014 from Destin Middle School in beautiful Okaloosa County, Florida along the beautiful Gulf of Mexico.
Marianne is preceded in death by her parents Ann and James; her first husband and father of her children, Dean R. Gilmore; her twin brother, Jimmy; and many beloved aunts, uncles, and cousins.
She is survived by her loving husband, David; loving son, Stephen James Gilmore and his wife Sherrie of Navarre, Florida, their children and Marianne's pride and joy, Jesse Dean Gilmore and Mackenzie Anne Gilmore of Pensacola, FL; her loving daughter, Julie Ann Campbell (Gilmore) husband, Keith of Tallahassee, and Sarah Campbell of Orlando, Florida. Marianne is also survived by her brother, Lance Blackwood and his wife, Isabel, nephew, Dalton of Mississippi, niece, Alison and nephew Jamie of Massachusetts, and many beloved cousins. Marianne was also a stepmom to David's children and a step-grandmother to David's six grandchildren.
Marianne's passion included her family, and she was extremely proud of the accomplishments of her children and precious grandchildren. They were her source of joy and happiness. She enjoyed living along the beautiful Gulf of Mexico, snorkeling, boating, fishing, and camping in their RV throughout the beautiful cities, small towns, mountain communities, and state and National Parks throughout the United States. As you can see, Marianne had many hobbies and interests that included NASCAR, college football, NFL, Bluegrass and Country Music and local theater productions. She also enjoyed workouts at Sequence Fitness, the Panama City Beach Senior Center, Water Aerobics at Frank Brown Park, reading (especially the novels authored by her son, Stephen James Gilmore), helping others in need through volunteer opportunities at her church, community, and spending time precious time with her husband and precious puppies, ChiChi Rodriguez, (a miniature Yorkie) and Sweet Molly Malone, a miniature Poodle.
Another of her favorite activities was enjoying luncheons, movies, concerts, and theater with her dear friends, "the girls," where they would sit along the emerald coastline of Panama City Beach, Rosemary Beach, Grayton Beach, Navarre Beach, Pensacola Beach and enjoy its spectacular beauty.
In addition to her family, Marianne loved horses and dogs of all breeds and owned too many to remember.
Another favorite song of hers was "Go Rest High on That Mountain" by Vince Gill. She will miss her loved ones but be aware of spiritual communication because she will be watching over her little cherubs and enjoying their adventures from above.
"Goodbye sweet world, I am going home." Please carry me in your heart......for a little while anyway.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, September 27, 2025, at 2:00 pm at Woodlawn Church in Panama City Beach, with Pastor Steve Irwin officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Marianne's name to:
Emerald Coast Hospice
401 E. 23rd St., Suite C
Panama City, FL 32405