Marilyn Akins Brookes, 80, of Jackson, Miss., passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 22, 2025. Born in Winona, Miss., on July 7, 1944, to Charles and Mary Akins, Marilyn grew up in the Mississippi Delta, where she cultivated a deep love for family, tradition, and the Southern way of life.
She graduated from Clarksdale High School in 1962 and continued her education at Mississippi University for Women and Memphis State University before earning her master’s degree in secondary education from Delta State University. A dedicated educator, Marilyn spent years shaping young minds as a teacher at St. Elizabeth’s Catholic School and Oakhurst Junior High in Clarksdale, Mississippi. She lived in Clarksdale for over 20 years before moving to Vicksburg in 1987 and later to Jackson in 1992, where she and her beloved husband, Sam Brookes, built a life together filled with love, adventure, and family.
Marilyn was the picture of perseverance, never letting a bad situation get her down. She embraced life with a passion for dancing, traveling, and collecting antiques – especially McCarty pottery, a treasured Mississippi tradition. She and Sam often embarked on cross-country journeys aboard Amtrak trains, finding joy in the adventure of new places and experiences. One of her favorite destinations to travel to was Virginia Beach, Virginia. A true Southern lady, Marilyn had a gift for bringing people together, always ensuring her family’s bellies were full with her delicious home-cooked meals. She especially loved hosting holiday gatherings, where laughter, music, and warmth filled the air.
A lifelong music lover, Marilyn was an officer of the New Bourbon Street Jazz Society, finding joy in the sounds of jazz and the crackle of a well-loved vinyl on her record player. She cherished time with her family and especially loved supporting her grandchildren. She never missed an opportunity to cheer them on at their sporting events and took great pride in her grandson’s scouting activities.
Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Mary Akins. She is survived by her husband, Sam Brookes; her brother, Charles Akins, M.D.; her sister, Nell Hanratty (Jack); her children, Mary Catherine Barlow (Bobby) and Reese Wise (Heather); and her beloved grandchildren, Lennis and Anna Cate Barlow, and Clayton and Wesley Wise.
Marilyn’s strength, love, and infectious joy will be deeply missed but forever cherished by those who knew her. Her family finds comfort in knowing that she lived life fully, always seeking out fun and happiness in every moment.
A celebration of Marilyn’s life was held at 4 p.m. Wednesday, March 26, 2025 at St. Philip’s Episcopal Church. Visitation was held from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. preceding the service. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in her honor to St. Philip’s Episcopal Church or CARA.
