Marilyn Dell Brady

Dr. Marilyn Dell Brady, age 87, of the Uplands Village community in Pleasant Hill, TN, passed away at home on September 19, 2026. She was born June 30, 1939, to Walter and Mary (Chapman) Dell in McAlester, OK. She is survived by her husband of 48 years, Don Dowdey; her daughters, Melissa Shackelford (Colin Shackelford), of Alpine, TX, and Dr. Michelle E. Brady (Andy Zwit), of Cincinnati, OH; her cousin, Nancy Hargis, of Ashville, NC; her extended Chapman and Dell families; and a universe of friends made through books and shared experiences.

Marilyn was a retired professor of US women’s history. She had degrees in library science and history from the University of Oklahoma, Texas Christian University, and the University of Kansas. She taught at the University of Kansas, Appalachian State University in Boone, NC, and Virginia Wesleyan University in Virginia Beach, VA. Even in retirement, she continued sharing her love of knowledge outside the classroom, through local history projects and discussion groups, as she liked to say, setting paper boats upon the water.

She was a Quaker in practice and a Buddhist in aspiration. While she found stillness in the first, letting go with the second was more elusive. Both perspectives helped her to focus on remaining open to hope, goodness, and kindness, even during hardship.

She loved the desert southwest; her kayak; Pine Canyon; her pink cliffs; exploring the natural world; discussing anything, especially books; changing both the world and her view of it; her dogs, Rosie, Hannah, and Lily; planting small-blooming plants; and planning new reads for her book club and new reviews for her blog. She treasured teaching her daughters how to swim, bake bread, play games, collect seeds, be independent, and live good lives.

Marilyn chose a natural burial which took place September 22, 2026, at Old Pleasant Hill Cemetery, in Pleasant Hill, TN. Arrangements were made through Bilbrey Funeral Home in Crossville, TN. The date for her Celebration of Life is yet to be determined.

In lieu of flowers, please consider gifts to the Pleasant Hill Historical Society of the Cumberlands (www.pioneerhallmuseum.net); the Wharton Association at Uplands Village (uplandsvillage.com) in Pleasant Hill; or the Bateman Horne Center (batemanhornecenter.org) in Murray, UT, an organization dedicated to the research and treatment of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) and related comorbidities.

We thank you deeply for your presence and support.