Marilyn Ann Cox Wortman, age 77, of Ridgely, TN, passed away on Sunday, May 11, 2025, at Jackson Madison County General Hospital. Born on March 10, 1948, in Loudon, TN, she was the beloved daughter of the late Ben and Rose Cox.

Marilyn was a graduate of Loudon High School and pursued her passion for nursing at the UT Knoxville School of Nursing, graduating in 1969. She began her distinguished career at the University of TN Hospital, where she served as a supervisory nurse at the first cancer unit.

On June 9, 1972, Marilyn married Fred Wortman and moved to Ridgely, where she continued her nursing career at the Dyer County Health Department. After 37 years of dedicated service, she retired as the Director of the Health Department. Her love for caring for others led her to work in Home Health for an additional 8 years.

Marilyn was known for her love of gardening and her generosity in sharing flowers, fresh country eggs, and food with her community. She was a devoted volunteer at the RRM and an active member of the Ridgely United Methodist Church.
Her greatest joy was her family and spending time with them. Marilyn also loved her friends and having their lunch get togethers. She loved to cook and needlework.

She and her husband loved hosting a monthly bible study/fellowship, where they were watching "The Chosen".

Services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday, May 14, 2025 at the Ridgely First Methodist Church with Bro. Tom Gibson, Bro. John Coleman and Dr. John Lowrance officiating. Burial will be in New Haven Cemetery. The family will receive visitors starting at 11 a.m. until service time at the church. Dyersburg Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Survivors include her husband of 53 years, Fred Auston Wortman; a son, Fred Auston Wortman, III; a daughter, Lara Kelley McCree (Tim); a sister, Linda Buchanan (Jack); five grandchildren, Bailee Ann McCree, Addi Mae McCree, Ella Wortman, Auston Wortman and Annsley Wortman; and her extended family members, Ralph Ann Roach, Aileen and Ronnie Roach, Celeste Horwedel, Alex, Danielle and Emily Roach, Jack, Gretchen, Ashton and Bryce Buchanan, Shawn and Susan Wortman, Richard and Frieda Pearson, Franklin, Magan, Tripp and Eden Wortman, Ravi, Heather, Reid and Claire Chauhan, Sam Hart and Taylor, Claire and Charlie Pearson.

In addition to her parents, Marilyn was preceded in death by her aunt, Anna Belle Eblen.

Pallbearers will be Tim McCree, Franklin Wortman, Shawn Wortman, Peter Keiser, Wil Keiser, Carey Homra, Trey Shaw and Forrest Patterson.

Memorials may be directed to a charity of the donor's choice.