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University of Mobile’s First Lady Marilyn Foley Shares God’s Love Published as cover story in May 2009 premiere first issue
“I had only been at college two months, and I was going to spend a weekend with the president’s wife,” Ashleigh, now a senior majoring in theology, recalled. Then she met Marilyn Foley. “From the moment we met Miss Marilyn, she jumped right in with a bag of candy and was there to have fun and be a part of it all. She came in as a friend,” Ashleigh said. That friendship has grown. Today, Ashley calls Marilyn Foley her “surrogate mom” who can step in with a hug when her own mother is three hours away in Enterprise, Ala. “It’s always good to know you have a mom nearby” when you are far from home, the 21-year-old said. Jaye Herrod agrees. “She’s been that person that I get to do fun little things with that I normally would do with my mom back home,” said Jaye, a senior from Prattville, Ala., majoring in music education at the Christian university in Mobile, Ala. “You’ve always had your mom in your life, and to go away to college, there’s a void. To have someone step into that void makes you feel at home.” A mother, wife, classroom educator, community volunteer, church leader – Marilyn Foley has experienced it all. She understands the joys -- and the struggles -- of living an abundant life in the midst of the everyday hustle and bustle of children to carpool, meetings to attend, families to nurture and work to accomplish. As her daughter and son have grown, married, and moved out of state, the responsibilities and joys of motherhood have changed but not diminished. Whether it is reaching out to college women, spending time with her own mother at a local assisted living residence, or drawing chalk pictures on the driveway with visiting granddaughters Avery and Abby, her actions are rooted in one thing – faith in Jesus Christ. Growing up in a “wonderful Christian home,” Marilyn was disappointed as a teenager that she didn’t have a “dramatic” testimony. Later, she realized that was exactly what she wanted for her children – to grow up in a home where God was always present. “She created that environment in our home. In whatever we did, whether it was doing something for others, the fun decorations she had around, or creating the childhood memories, God was always present in that,” recalled daughter Molly, who now lives in Atlanta with husband Doug Sawyer and their daughters Avery and Abby. Son Rob, who works with Christian ministries in the National Parks system and lives with wife Leah in Colorado, said his mother has “a gentle spirit accompanied by this ability to discern and assess what is right. My mom and dad both worked well together to provide a foundation for my sister and me...to stand on while we explored and created our own worlds.” “My mom has a heart to see people make good decisions in their lives,” he added. As a springtime thunderstorm raged outside her Spring Hill home, Marilyn Foley sat in the calm of her living room with golden retriever Lucy and Scottish terrier Bea at her feet. Behind her in a bamboo bird cage fluttered Bozo, a green cheek sun conure. It was a peaceful moment that seemed to emanate from a woman centered in her faith, a woman of compassion and a quiet strength. “The idea of being rooted in Christ, of trying to extend that in everything I do, has always been important to me,” she said. Her favorite scriptural verse is John 15:5: “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” It is that verse which inspired her husband, University of Mobile President Dr. Mark Foley, to design a 14-inch metal cross and vine as a gift to her. Recently, he and Jim Daniel, a member of the university’s Board of Trustees and CEO of a Birmingham, Ala.,-based metal fabricating firm, constructed a 12-foot replica which has been placed on the university’s campus to provide a place for prayer and reflection. Marilyn grew up in a Christian home in Texas, graduated from college with a degree in education, and married a young man who worked with his father operating a trucking business. When husband Mark Foley felt a calling to the ministry and higher education, she left her teaching job in Texas and moved with him to New Orleans and seminary, raising a son and daughter and helping support the family by cleaning homes and tutoring, then directing a preschool and teaching elementary school. And, as the couple raised their children, they realized they weren’t doing it alone. “It’s important to make sure your children are exposed to people of faith, that there are Christian influences in their lives,” Marilyn said. She recalled her children’s adolescent years, when teenagers often look outside their home for role models. “You hear what your parents say, but you do the opposite,” agreed Rob during a recent telephone conversation. “She knew who had influence in my life – a basketball coach, other parents. She was able to establish relationships with those people…and speak to me through them.” Mark Foley completed his doctorate, was licensed as a professional counselor and served as executive vice president of New Orleans Baptist Theological seminary until 1998, when he was named president of the University of Mobile. In her role as first lady, Marilyn Foley is involved with campus events and volunteering with community organizations such as the Festival of Flowers and Friends of the Museum of Mobile. The position also provides her an opportunity to be a positive Christian influence in the lives of students, particularly young women. Mark Foley said his wife is “an amazing person who acts out the best definition of a Christian woman that I can imagine. I am a fortunate man. “That which I greatly admire about Marilyn and which enhances her beauty is her great delight in expressing her love to her mother, daughter, daughter-in-law and granddaughters,” he added. “Watching it happen in various ways each day is a joy for me and draws me more deeply in love with her. “I see that delight acted out toward our students as well, as she has made it a priority to nurture relationships with a number of young women on our campus over the years,” he said. Jaye Herrod, a former Miss University of Mobile, said Marilyn Foley has a heart for young women that goes far beyond the normal duties expected of a university president’s wife. Jaye and Ashleigh Hall have worked with “Miss Marilyn” to organize campus events for young women, such as a Pure Style fashion show displaying modest yet trendy clothing, an etiquette class to prepare both male and female students to carry themselves with confidence in professional and social settings, and a seminar for female students with Dr. Rhonda Kelley, director of Women’s Ministry Programs at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and wife of NOBTS President Dr. Charles Kelley Jr. “A great thing about Miss Marilyn is that she understands that this mission to reach out to young girls is bigger than she is,” Jaye said. “Every event that I help her plan always involves other local women, be it church members or faculty and staff members. The events are a widespread opportunity for women to mentor young girls.” Ashleigh said working with Marilyn Foley on university events has been an important part of the college learning experience. “What have I learned from her? I’ve learned the importance of caring and being honest,” Ashleigh said. “I’ve learned the importance of carrying myself as a respectable Christian, presenting myself with confidence and loving people and being genuine like she is, and truly caring about people.” Both Molly and Rob say their mother’s gentle spirit, sense of humor and faith are part of a nurturing spirit that makes a difference in the lives of those she touches. “She has a heart to establish relationships with people and to help create the space for them to make good decisions in their lives, as she did for my sister and me,” Rob said. Ashleigh said Marilyn Foley is “such a godly woman” who truly cares about people. “She reflects the love that the Lord shines on her.” Last modified :
Thursday, May 14, 2009 11:22 PM
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