Our beloved mother, grandmother and sister Marilyn J. “Boots” Haynes, 93, transitioned to her heavenly house on Friday, August 9, 2024, at Seminary Manor in Galesburg, Illinois.
Born in Galesburg to Berthol and Eugenia Taylor on June 7, 1931. She married Louis B. “Papa Louie” Haynes on January 6, 1952. He preceded her in death July 28, 2018.
Marilyn or “Mare-Mare” as some called her, leaves to cherish her most precious memories are two daughters, Cherilyn Davis of Aurora, Illinois and Carla (and Michael) Turner of West Hills, California, to her eight grandchildren she was “Gran” or “Ma Mare” Michael, Jason, Marcus, Oshshawa, Uriya, Candace, Lance II (Ambre) and Jordan, seven great-grandchildren, Dane, Lance III, Xaiven, Mikayla, Qalim, Kennedy and King, one brother, Robert (and Helen) Taylor of Galesburg, two sisters, Christine (and Clinton) Haynes of Galesburg, and Shirley Wallace of Galesburg who was like a daughter, and a host of nieces and nephews that loved her dearly including a special niece, Courtney Wallace. She was preceded in death by her parents, a daughter, Cynthia Ingram on March 29, 2018, two brothers, James Taylor and William Taylor, and three sisters, Betty Weeks, Elizabeth Taylor, and Delores Taylor.
A life- long resident of Galesburg, where she attended school and graduated. She first worked as a window designer for W.T. Grant in Galesburg. She then was an O.B. Technician at St. Mary’s Hospital for several years and then did clerical work for the Galesburg Mental Health Center until it’s closure. She was a member of Israel of God Church in Galesburg where she was the Sunday School Treasurer and Choir member. Marilyn was very creative and active, whether it was decorating her home or decorating the window displays in downtown Galesburg, or the beautiful floral arrangements at her church the Israel of God Church. She wanted everything just right… she was such a do-er. She always remembered everyone, sending birthdays and “thinking of you” cards or just a handwritten letter. She was an exquisite writer. She was active in politics where our home was a polling location. She was neighborhood watch president and involved in the PTA. She cooked all the food for chili supper at Cooke School. Always involved with her community. To top everything off she was an exceptional cook and baker. Everything she cooked was scrumptious. Can’t say enough about her popular popcorn balls that are still talked about. When people ask how she is doing they also say…I miss her cooking. Marilyn enjoyed making people happy.
Visitation will be 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Saturday, August 31, 2024, at the Israel of God Church in Galesburg. A funeral service will follow at 11:00 a.m. at the church with Rev. Terrance Collins officiating. The burial will be in East Linwood Cemetery, Galesburg. Memorials may be made to Alzheimer’s Association or American Heart Association. Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral Directors and Cremation Service Galesburg Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made at www.h-p-w.com.
