Marian Grey Breedlove

Marian Grey (McGibony) Breedlove, born March 18, 1921 in Monroe, Georgia, passed away October 16, 2019 at the age of 98. She was the oldest child of Annie (Moon) and John McGibony, and had a younger brother John Lamar McGibony who was killed in WWII on his first air combat mission in 1943. Marian graduated Avondale High School in 1938. She had earned a scholarship to attend Agnes Scott College; however her father died in an automobile accident that year and Marian went to work at Sears Roebuck (Ponce City Market) to help her family make ends meet through the Great Depression. Marian married Madison Wayne Breedlove in 1940. Marian and Wayne Breedlove raised five children Larry, Gary, Ann, Lamar and Pam in Decatur, Georgia and Tampa, Florida. While in Tampa, Marian worked as a Kindergarten teacher. Growing up, she instilled the values of hard work and dedication in her children. Despite difficult times and loss, Marian saw the good in life and relied on her faith. She enjoyed the company of her family—five children Larry (deceased), Col (Ret.) Gary (Patsy), Ann Smith (Ray), Lamar (Julie) and Pam Bips (Mark); 16 grandchildren: Beth (Bob) Howell, Marty (Sharon) Breedlove, JR (Julie) Breedlove , Matt Breedlove, Jill Breedlove, Randy (Missy) Breedlove, Chris Smith, Marlie (Michael) Parks, John (Jolayne) Breedlove, Stephen (Bethany) Breedlove, Emily Breedlove, Hannah (Mark) Ackling, Andrew (Erica) Breedlove, Ethan (Taylor) Breedlove, Madison Bips and Murphy Bips; and 14 great grandchildren: Andrew Howell, Jared Breedlove, Brittany Breedlove, Cameron Breedlove, Caroline Breedlove, Claire Breedlove, Carson Breedlove, Emma Parks, Jensen Parks, Bella Breedlove, Logan Breedlove, Savannah Breedlove, and Emily Breedlove. From Atlanta Fulton County Stadium to Turner Field to Sun Trust Park--she attended Braves games and was an avid fan. She found great joy and competition playing bridge with her bridge group—Mary Basile, Ann Basile and Paula Leach. She traveled with friends and family from California to New York City. Two of her favorite places to be were Myrtle Beach and Panama City Beach. She enjoyed gardening and cooking. No day was complete without a dose of sunshine--she loved sitting outside and reading the newspaper. Marian worked as a buyer for Belk and retired from JCPenney. She loved Christmas and shopping for others. Christmas Eve at her house was the Breedlove family tradition. She decorated and cooked; baked sweets and prepared snacks. The celebrations at her home made all believers in the spirit of Christmas.