November 19, 1948 – January 30, 2024
Evans “Muff” Marshall, 75, of Fairhope, Alabama, passed away Jan. 30, 2024, at Eastern Shore Rehabilitation and Health Center, surrounded by loved ones, after a long battle with chronic lung disease. She was born in Mobile, Alabama, to John Ritchie and Mary Elizabeth Harwell on Nov. 19, 1948. Growing up in Atlanta, Georgia, Muff attended Cross Keys High School (class of 1966), where she developed lifelong friendships and a passion for learning. Her childhood was an idyllic time in her life, which she recalled fondly.
Muff pursued her academic endeavors at Auburn University, where she was an active member of Alpha Chi Omega Sorority and graduated with a degree in history in 1969. After getting married, her journey led her to Birmingham in 1970, where she was a devoted high school teacher in the City of Birmingham school system and later earned a master’s degree in history from the University of Alabama-Birmingham in 1972.
After spending several years in Charleston, South Carolina, and the Washington D.C. area, she relocated to Montgomery, Alabama in 1980, where she continued to raise her three children. Actively engaged in her community, she contributed her time to the Junior League of Montgomery, her bridge club, and found solace in her faith at Saint John’s Episcopal Church. In addition to being a homemaker, she also spent time as an interior designer.
A testament to her perseverance and dedication, Muff earned her Juris Doctor Degree from Jones School of Law in 1989 and subsequently passed the Alabama State Bar Exam in 1990. For several years in the Montgomery area, she practiced specializing in family law, personal injury law, and criminal law. Her tenure as a Family Court Judge in the Central Alabama District further exemplified her commitment to justice and compassion.
In 2004, Muff embarked on a new chapter in Baldwin County, finding joy and fulfillment in Foley and Fairhope. Embracing her retirement from the legal profession, she dedicated her creative talents to an interior design retail company and delved into a diverse range of eBooks, including British mysteries and historical novels, on her Kindle, courtesy of her library memberships. Her involvement in the bridge club provided not only entertainment but also a cherished sense of community and intellectual stimulation. Additionally, she treasured the companionship of her dear friends in the area, fostering deep and lasting connections.
Muff leaves behind a legacy of love and resilience, survived by her children, Alicia Katherine Marshall (Rob) Culler of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, John Ritchie “Shaun” (Lori) Marshall of Bohemia, New York, and Brian Christopher Marshall of Fayetteville, Alabama, her grandchildren: Katherine Victoria Culler, William Marshall Culler, Vincent Buchanan Marshall, Anna Evans Marshall, Emily Frances Marshall, and Christopher Harwell Marshall, as well as cherished cousins, nieces, nephews, and dear friends.
Since Lake Martin was Muff’s favorite place on earth, the family will have a small ceremony by the water to celebrate her life. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Springhill Home Health & Hospice, the Fairhope Public Library, the American Lung Association, or the charity of your choice.
Springhill Home Health & Hospice: https://springhillhomecare.com/donate/
Fairhope Public Library: https://fairhopelibrary.org/index.php/give-to-the-library/
American Lung Association: https://action.lung.org/site/Donation2?df_id=31272&31272.donation=form1
