Marlene L. Brown

Marlene L. Brown born Sept. 14, 1931, passed peacefully at home surrounded by loved ones on Dec. 27, 2025.

She was a beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend. She is survived by children, Daniel Barton, Loy Barton, Jeannine Cherry, Alicia Stignani and Jason Brown; grandchildren, Eric Barton, Jennifer Schmalz, Kevin Cherry, Alex Barton, Rachel Stignani and Sophia Stignani; and cherished great-grandchildren, Addison Barton, Christopher Cherry, Eden Schmalz, Tate Schmalz, Noah Stignani and Wren Stignani Ray. She is preceded in death by grandson, Taylor Barton.

She worked for many years at Arrow Shirt Company and later at Atlanta Structural Concrete. She lived in Powder Springs for more than 30 years before retiring to Ellijay where she continued to live her life with grace and energy.

Grounded in her Christian faith, she was deeply involved in her church community, Ellijay First United Methodist Church and devoted over 20 years to volunteering at Faith, Hope and Charity, where her compassion touched countless lives.

She had a wonderful sense of humor and loved sharing a good laugh with friends and family. She had an adventurous spirit and a passion for travel, enjoying trips to Aruba, Costa Rica, Alaska, Europe and Hawaii. Her favorite saying was, "I can't wait to see what tomorrow brings." She was also a skilled DIY enthusiast who enjoyed small home repairs and sewing many of her own clothes, as well as those of her family, including her daughter's wedding gown. She loved to play Scrabble and was the best at it.

As an animal lover she had a special fondness for cats, particularly her beloved cat, Hope. She also enjoyed watching Pit Bulls and Parolees, Fox News and Gunsmoke. She will be remembered for her strong will, her kindness and her zest for life.

Donations in her name can be made to Ellijay First United Methodist Church at 75 McCutchen Street, Ellijay, GA 30540, in her memory.

Her legacy of love, adventure and service will live on in the hearts of all who knew her.

Bernhardt Funeral Home of Ellijay is entrusted with these arrangements.