Marilyn Kilgore Foster

Marilyn Kilgore Foster, 91 of Griffin, passed away on Friday, December 5, 2025, at Brightmoor Hospice after a period of declining health.

Marilyn was a lifelong resident of Griffin and was born on August 11, 1934 on Kilgore Hill to her parents Roy Kilgore and Sarah Jenkins Kilgore. Marilyn graduated from Spalding High School in 1951 and from Reinhardt College in 1954. She lived the majority of her life in the Pomona community, and was a life-long member of Pomona Methodist Church and a former member of the Jayceettes.

After graduating from Reinhardt, Marilyn worked at Diamond Jewelry and in December of 1956, while walking to the bank in downtown Griffin, she met the man who would become the love of her life, Sonny Foster. Their love story began when they went on a date the next day. They became engaged a week later, and were married on June 7, 1957.

Marilyn was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother and enjoyed her role in each. She was known for her quiet strength, kindness, almost constant smile, and her famous Coca-Cola cake. She loved to travel by car, RV, and motorcycle, and she and Sonny visited nearly every state in the continental United States. They also travelled to Canada and the Caribbean, and during one trip to Acapulco in 1985, they survived the catastrophic 8.0 earthquake that struck Mexico.

She also enjoyed camping, boating, watching her children and grandchildren's sporting events, and reading. She read her Bible every night before bed.

When Sonny became coroner for Spalding County in 2001, Marilyn would often go with him to help out in the office and even on calls, offering comfort and care to those who had recently lost loved ones. She excelled at this unofficial but important role in her community for twenty years.

In addition to her parents, Marilyn was preceded in death by her brother William (Billy) Kilgore.

Marilyn is survived by her husband of 68 years, John (Sonny) Foster; her children, Greg Foster (Jennifer), Pam Dunn, Beth Golden (Bill), and Jan Foster; her grandchildren David Dunn, Will Golden (Julia), Clay Golden (Kacey), Amber Prichard (Steven), Jack Foster, Ellie Foster, Anna Foster; and her brother, Ray Kilgore (Rachel), sister-in-law, Jeanie Spearman, as well as several nieces and nephews.

Visitation for Marilyn Foster will be Tuesday, December 9, 2025 from 2:30 pm until 4:00 pm at Conner-Westbury Funeral Home, followed by a memorial and celebration of life service in the chapel.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.