Marilyn Bullard Barlow

Marilyn Bullard Barlow, 93, our mama, our northern star, our Mema, and our Mamo, went home to be with Jesus and entered the gates of paradise on Tuesday, July 28, 2026. She was born on April 19, 1933, to the late OK and Verdie Bullard in Hazlehurst, Georgia. She grew up in Hazlehurst, where she went to school, played basketball, and met the love of her life, Wiley Barlow. They got married in May 1949 and were married for 74 years until his death in 2024. They raised their four children in Waynesboro, Georgia. Marilyn was loved by everyone who met her and was quite the character. She loved flowers, thrift shopping, dressing up, and collecting all beautiful things. She loved her husband, family, and Jesus. In addition to her parents and her husband, she was preceded in death by two sisters, Maxine and Marie; a brother, Ken; and her son-in-law, Urbane “Urbie Jack” Lively. We are sure that they were all waiting right there at the gates of Heaven, especially her husband greeting her with a big hug.

She was survived by her children, Don Barlow, Sharon Ann Stewart (Pat), Susan Lively, and Dina Waldrop (Jason); a bonus, daughter Pam Evans; her granddaughters, Shannon Lively and KaLyn Waldrop; her grandsons, whom she called her “Sugarboys”, Patrick Stewart, Jr. (Joelle), Art Lively (Amy), Sean Barlow (Suzanne), Matthew Stewart, Brent Barlow (Ann), Nicholas Waldrop (Leah), and Collin Waldrop; her great grandchildren, Alexandria, Maisey, Rilyn, Rachel, Rebecca, Saylor, Izzy, Colton, Wiley Jo, Kingsley, Liza, Payden, Amelia, Birdie, and Wells; many nieces and nephews who lovingly called her Aunt Marilyn; and her dog Buddy, who was her constant companion since her husband died.

We know she is singing with the angels in Heaven worshiping her Lord and Savior and she would ask that you read your Bible today and every day.

The family will receive friends from 10:00am to 11:00am Saturday, August 1 at McBean Baptist Church with Funeral Services starting 11:00am with Rev. Toby Rowell officiating. Burial will follow at Burke Memorial Gardens. 

Pallbearers will be her grandsons.

DeLoach-McKerley-Prescott Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 220 East 6th Street, Waynesboro, GA 30830 (706-554-3531). You may sign the guest book at www.deloachfuneralhomes.com.