Marilyn Ruth Tate Kluge

Marilyn Ruth Tate Kluge went to be with her Savior peacefully on October 16, 2025, in Decatur, Alabama.
Marilyn was born in Kentwood, Louisiana on August 27,1936, to Isabelle (Daniel) Tate and Grover Cleveland "Cleve" Tate. She had two teenage sisters, Matilee and Geraldine. She said she had three mothers to spoil her. Even with grown children and grandchildren of her own, to her beloved sisters she was always "the baby".
Marilyn graduated from Sulphur High School as a member of the marching band color guard. Upon graduation she took a job in the business office of the Bell System telephone company. It was during this time that a friend set her up on a blind date with John "Jack" Kluge on a ruse to repair her TV. They were married the following April and a year later were living in Jack's home state of New York. Here Marilyn was introduced to pizza, snow and the joy of boating.
By 1965, Marilyn was the mother of two daughters, Sheryl Lynn (Klawonn) and Diane Carol (Donahue), and living in Merritt Island, Florida where Jack worked on the fledgling Apollo Program. They remained here for the next 20 years until Jack's retirement took her to the mountains of Brevard, North Carolina. From here Marilyn enjoyed visiting her daughters and their growing families in South Florida and Northern Alabama while taking train rides all over North America.
At home, Marilyn loved to work with her hands, including sewing, knitting, crafts, and baking. She was an avid reader of anything, and that remained with her even after her sight failed her.
Marilyn loved all her girls, and the men in their lives who cared for them. She never missed the opportunity to spend time with them, even if it was on the phone. Her four granddaughters and her two great-granddaughters were her joy.
Most of all, Marilyn was a Steel Magnolia, Southern Baptist woman who loved her Jesus, was actively involved in church wherever she lived, and raised her daughters to be the same. Sunday school teacher, choir, GA's, Woman's Auxiliary and Gideons, she was always faithful.
Marilyn was loved by all who knew her and every soul she touched. Every day she was a living witness to the promise of God's faithfulness and eternal glory through Jesus Christ. In the last years of her life Marilyn lived in darkness but on October 16, 2025, her faith became sight.
There will be a celebration of life service for Marilyn on June 28, 2026, on Round Mountain in Brevard, North Carolina. There, her ashes and those of her beloved husband Jack will be spread over the waterfall near their former home at their request.
Gifts of memory and celebration of life can be made to Gideons International at gideons.org.