Marilyn L. Freeman-Zachry of Jackson, MS and Houston, MS passed away on May 28, 2024, at 95 years of age at River Oaks Hospital in Flowood, MS. She was born January 8, 1929, in Meridian, MS to a warm and loving Christian father and mother, Martin Luther Lide and Martha Ellen Robbins Lide. The Lides were members of East End Methodist Church and were involved in every aspect of that Meridian church.

Marilyn was the youngest of nine sisters and one brother. She graduated from Meridian High School and Jr. College, as well as taking courses at the University of Southern Mississippi and Millsaps College. Marilyn spent most of her life as a Jackson, MS resident, attending St. Luke's Methodist Church. She was the president of her Sunday school class and participated in many missions for the church as a lay delegate, minister's wife, and Suzanna Wesley member. Marilyn worked primarily as a secretary to help support her family wherever they moved including Meridian, Jackson, and Shubuta, MS, as well as Griffin, GA. She was an employee of the Office of the Mississippi Conference of the United Methodist Church along with employment at the offices of Dr. Joe Roberts and Dr. Joe Scoggins. Marilyn had a love for art including drawing to creating her own ceramics. She greatly enjoyed gardening and camping; however, Mimi shined brightest when cooking for her family. After church on Sundays, she cooked delicious meals and hosted family supper at her home. Her fried pork chops, pot roast, rice, and gravy were unmatched. Everyone knew "You better not touch that lid" while the rice was cooking! She was known for making homemade bread for her Sunday school class and many church members when they got sick. She made sure all her grandchildren went to church starting at a very young age. For her grandchildren that lived in town, she woke them up every Sunday morning and sat them next to her on the pew and made sure they paid attention. She helped etch the scriptures about love, kindness, and forgiveness into the fabric of their being. Mimi's motto was to always just keep going and everything would work out. She spent much of her time loving on and taking care of other people. Mimi had a servant's heart and always managed to love everyone despite their faults. Marilyn lived a life full of faith and shared her love of the Lord with everyone she met.

Marilyn is survived by her three children: Howard Freeman of Meridian, MS, Dr. Teena Freeman Horn (Lee) of Houston, MS, Patricia Freeman of Jackson, MS, and stepdaughter Leslie Morris (Willie) of the Jackson, MS area. Eleven grandchildren: Brooke Freeman, Taylor Freeman, Clay Bishop, Brister Bishop, Daniel Freeman, Paige Horn Lluy (Ryan), Hillary Horn Earnest (Richard), Elizabeth Rainey Dabney (Conway), Emmalee Rainey, Charles Rainey (Anna), Billy Rainey (Swayze). Seven great-grandchildren: Cain Sudduth, Mason Wheeler, Tyson Freeman, Sophia Lluy, Samuel Earnest, Dottie Ann Bishop, and Carter Freeman.

She is preceded in death by her husbands: Dr. G. Howard Freeman and Bill Zachry. Her 8 sisters: Dorothy Eggerton, Julia Villavaso, "Sister" Mattie Ellen Phillips, Anna Hoover, "Teny" Althea Agnes Page, Emma Rawlings Griffin, Eva Jean Brown Wright, and Josephine Mills. One brother: Martin Luther Lide Jr., and her stepson, Van Zachry.

Visitation and Funeral will be at 12 o'clock PM Thursday, May 30, 2024, at Prospect United Methodist Church in Houston, MS. Pallbearers will be Clay Bishop, Brister Bishop, Daniel Freeman, Charles Rainey, Billy Rainey, Conway Dabney, Ryan Lluy, and Richard Earnest. Memorials may be made to Prospect United Methodist Church in Houston, MS or St. Lukes United Methodist Church in Jackson, MS.