Marilyn Rish entered this world on Saturday, July 3, 1954, in Telfair County, Georgia. Born to the late Johnny and Clifford Hulett, we’re quite sure they knew right away that their baby born the day before the Fourth of July, was going to be a “firecracker” — and what a firecracker she was.
Marilyn Lourene Hulett Rish was a woman of family, faith, fire, and food. However you referred to her — “Granny, Ma, Mama, Matilou, or Marilyn” — you always knew you had a seat at her table. Whether it was in her kitchen, at the hunting club cook shack, or out on the carport, anyone and everyone was welcome. If you don’t believe us, just check out her famous Easter Facebook invitations.
She loved Jesus, her family, her chosen family, keeping everyone straight, and cooking. Her gifts were acts of service and truth-telling. If someone was sick or sad, she was the first to show up with a pot of dumplings, a chocolate cake, or a pecan pie. She’d sit and talk with you (and maybe smoke a cigarette or two), but you always knew where you stood with her — even if the truth stung a little.
There was a fire in her soul for her family and for us all to be together. “Fishing, hunting, and loving every day,” that’s what she did. She loved “Big Archie,” and he loved her — 50 years of marriage, since February 28, 1975 — what a testament to God’s love and faithfulness. In these last years, he cared for her relentlessly, a special kind of love her family had the privilege to witness. Together, they created a beautiful family full of love, laughter, and special memories around the hunting campfire that will never fade.
She is survived by so many who loved her dearly, and her memory will live on through the countless lives she touched.
Marilyn was the beloved wife of 50 years to Archie C. Rish; loving mother to Carol Rish, Carla and her husband Doug Pridgen, and Archie and his wife Carla Rish; and Cherished Granny to Caraline McCarty and her fiancé Harrison Hughes, Tripp McCarty, and his sweetheart Madison Batten , Callie and her husband James Dayhoff, Joni McKinion and her fiancé Bryce Fambrough, Jimmy Pridgen, Brody Rish and his best girl Kylee Brooke Gilliard, and Nate Rish. She was also blessed with her great-granddaughter, Ellie Ann Dayhoff.
Her circle of love extended even further to her “kids and grandkids by choice”: son – Dickey Rish special friend, Amy Lott; daughter – Emma J. (Sissy) Moore, husband Drew, granchildren by choice – Sydnie Rish, Emma Rish, Matthew Rish, Marshall Harper, Mason Harper, wife Lilly, Allie Jane Pridgen, Kramer Day, and Reece Collins.
Marilyn was sister to Debra Smith (Darrell) and Margaret Pridgen, sister-in-law to Kathy Hulett and Marlene Hulett, and preceded in death by siblings Joann Minshew, Sue Paulk, Agnes Jones, Earl Hulett, Gerald Frank Hulett, John Jr. Hulett, and Ralph Hulett.
She was Mama, Granny, friend, memory-maker, and chief executive of life. She was the realest of the real — a secret servant who gave without seeking recognition, a truth-teller, a giver, and a woman who loved her family fiercely. Her grandchildren were her pride and joy, and she was the absolute best cook, known for feeding the multitudes.
One of her last requests was to go to the mountains. Though her girls didn’t all make the trip with her this week as planned, we believe Jesus gave her soul a glimpse of them as she entered into glory on Sunday, September 21, 2025. We’re quite sure what she sees now is even more majestic and beautiful than she ever imagined.
Ma, you’ve made it to the Master’s Table. Your eyes now behold the glory, goodness, and beauty of the One you’ve loved and taught us to love. We will carry on your legacy by loving one another, serving others, and gathering around the table.
Pallbearers will be James Dayhoff, Bryce Fambrough, Harrison Hughes, Emery Phillips, Glen Townsend, and Justin Stone. Honorary pallbearers will be her grandchildren and grandchildren by choice.
The family will gather Tuesday, September 23, 2025, 6:00-9:00 PM, at Sims Funeral Home in Douglas, GA. Her homegoing celebration will be led by Pastors George Carol Paulk and B.J. Holliday, with music by Amber Bounds, on Wednesday, September 24, 2025, at 11:00 AM. Marilyn will lie in state at Reedy Branch Baptist Church preceding the celebration. Interment will be immediately following the service in the Reedy Branch Baptist Church Cemetery, in Broxton Georgia. Please join us in celebrating her life, and wear her favorite color, red, to her homecoming celebration.
Even though Marilyn always thought there should be flowers at a funeral, children fighting cancer always held a special place in her heart. If you would like to contribute a lasting gift in her memory to the Childhood Cancer Awareness Group of Coffee County, she would have loved that too.
CCAGCC
PO BOX 1203
Douglas, GA 31534
Marilyn once wrote: “I have lived a good life with a good man, good children, and wonderful grandchildren – who I hope I have left some good memories.”