Marilyn Lee Coe Shackelford, affectionately known as “Nanny” to her family and Mrs. Shack to countless students, entered into her Heavenly home on Friday, October 31, 2025. Born on May 15, 1941, in Alpine, Marilyn grew up in Marathon and was a member of the First United Methodist Church. She passed at the age of 84 in the home where she and her husband raised their family, as was her wish.

Marilyn attended schools in Marathon and married her sweetheart, Macky Shackelford, on July 5, 1958. An incredible courtship began fittingly with a first dance between 5-yearold Marilyn and 6-year-old Macky, with them dancing through life for the next 67 years. Known for their unique dance style, they kicked up their heels at the Post to the music of Charlie Cook and the Cavaliers, later to Craig Carter and the Spur of the Moment Band, among others. They did not miss many opportunities to make circles around a good dance floor. Two-steps and waltzes, schottisches and polkas, they knew them all and did them in true West Texas style!

Early married years found them moving frequently, as Macky was working on a road-construction crew. About every three weeks, they would pack up and move on to the next job; Marilyn said they moved over 52 times in the first two years they were married. Cary Dale was born in 1959 in San Angelo, followed by Keith Lee in 1961. They moved to Alpine, and when the boys were ready to begin school, Marilyn began her college career at Sul Ross State University, graduating with a teaching degree in 1966. Lyndell Jay was born that same year, and the family moved back to Marathon. She and Macky purchased Marathon Butane Company in 1966 and ran the business together for the next 20+ years. Gayle’s son, Coe, was born in 1972, and when she passed, Coe quickly became part of the family as the fourth brother.

Marilyn’s 47-year teaching career began in Marathon, from the Elementary School, and later to the Junior High. She touched many, many lives over the years; frequently, someone mentions to a family member that she made a huge impact on them. Marilyn wore many hats in her time teaching, from classroom to cheerleader sponsor to basketball coach, among many other activities. Marilyn gained her master’s degree as a Reading Specialist, and one of her greatest contributions was her involvement in a program called Right to Read, which propelled her as one of the top educators in her area of specialization. She taught for several years in Presidio, using her vast experience to work with students and mentor younger teaching professionals. She later worked at Sul Ross in the Education Department as an adjunct professor, preparing students who were about to enter the teaching field. Later, she supervised student-teachers, traveling many miles for observation, helping mold their presence in the classroom.

Retirement found her working a variety of jobs, as she found herself unable to sit still. Hostess at the Gage Hotel Restaurant, owned and operated a gift shop, helped run Johnny B’s retro malt shop, Mary Kay makeup, the list goes on. Marilyn frequently had extra guests at her dinner table, feeding many friends and hungry college students over the years.

Marilyn was preceded in death by her sister, Gayle Coe Pratt; her parents, Ralph and Lyda Coe; her best friend, Mark Ellen Herring Garrett; and a host of special family and friends. She is survived by her husband of 67 years, Macky; sons Cary (Shelley), Keith (Carol), Lyndell (Della), and Coe Pratt (Tammy); eleven grandchildren; eleven greatgrandchildren; numerous nephews; and a special “adopted” daughter, Cindy Garrett Entzel.

Services are tentatively scheduled for Saturday, November 15. Specific details will be announced as soon as they are confirmed. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be made to Friends of the Post, one of Marilyn’s places she loved most. Venmo is @friendsofthepost, or checks can be mailed to Kelly Springfield, 309 N. 6th St., Marathon, TX 79842. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers – she was one of a kind and will be sorely missed.