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Mrs. Marilyn Durrence Salem, age 98, of Lyons, died on Friday, January 8, 2021, at her home after a brief illness. She was born in the Mendes community of Tattnall County, Georgia, on December 21, 1922.  

She graduated from Glennville High School in 1939 and began her college career at Georgia Teachers College in Statesboro.  She was a sophomore when World War II began. Because of a shortage of teachers due to the war effort, she was asked to come back home to instruct high school students at the Mendes School, some older than herself.  She later returned to complete her degree at Georgia Southern College.

In 1949 she married William John “Bill” Salem. The couple resided in Statesboro and East Point before moving to Lyons in 1952.

While she was known to her family and friends as “GaGa”, most people knew her as Mrs. Salem having taught for most of her career at Lyons Elementary School. In her 40 years as an educator, Mrs. Salem taught students of nearly every age, including night school classes to veterans, but her favorite was 4th grade where she was known for her soft-spoken manner and high expectations for students. She was named Lyons Elementary School Teacher of the Year in 1978. 

Mrs. Salem was a member of Lyons First United Methodist Church. She was an avid fan of the Atlanta Braves, fried oysters and ice cream sundaes.  She adored her two granddaughters and served as a constant encourager throughout their lives.  

She was preceded in death by her husband Bill; her parents, Coy Guyton and Gussie Purvis Durrence, her brother, Edsel Coy Durrence and wife Wynell; nephew Eddie Durrence and wife Libby; and brother-in-law Jim Salem of Vidalia.

Mrs. Salem is survived by her daughter Mary Kay Thompson of Vidalia; two granddaughters, Mallory Thompson Craven and husband Nick of Alexandria, Virginia, and Melissa Thompson Rook and husband James of Grayson; sister-in-law Judy Salem of Vidalia; two nieces, Deborah Roderick and husband Randy of Bellville, and Jane Threlkeld and husband Brian of Mendes, along with many other nieces and nephews.

Due to coronavirus concerns, a private family funeral service will be held at the First United Methodist Church in Lyons with Mr. Jose Caraballo and the Rev. Dr. Wayne Moseley officiating. Interment will follow at Lyons City Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Cornerstone Children's Center, P. O. Box 150, Vidalia GA 30475 or to the Community Hospice Foundation, P.O. Box 2277, Vidalia, GA 30475.

Toombs County Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

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