Mauvoline Schrimsher Yarbrough, 95, passed away quietly at her home in East Limestone on Monday, September 13, 2021 surrounded by her loving family and caregivers. Mrs. Yarbrough was born October 14, 1925 in Limestone County, Alabama to William Claude Schrimsher and Una Mae Wagnon Schrimsher. To her family she was simply known as “Mimi, the matriarch of the family.
Mrs. Yarbrough was preceded in death by her adoring husband, Jesse Leon Yarbrough, son Steve Leon Yarbrough, and grandson Steve Leon “Lon” Yarbrough Jr. Mrs. Yarbrough was also preceded in death by parents Claude and Mae Schrimsher, four brothers and two sisters-in-law Homer and Maxine Schrimsher, Glenn and Mary Schrimsher, Morris Schrimsher (Patty), Clyde “Moody” Schrimsher (Micky). Her only sister, Ruth Schrimsher Miles (Harris, deceased), passed away in June of 2021.
Mrs. Yarbrough is survived by her caring daughter, Maureen Yarbrough Lokken (Bill), brother Jerry Schrimsher (Helen), and family member and long-time neighbor, Kenneth Prater. She is survived by granddaughters Millie Prater Steber and husband Michael with children Benjamin and Joseph of Huntsville, Molly Yarbrough Garrison and husband Doug with children Jessie Blackmon (Phillip) and Braden of Madison, and Alice Prater Perrins and husband Nicholas with children John, Katie, and Mary of Peachtree Corners, Georgia. Mimi was a grandmother like no other and was greatly loved by each one of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Mrs. Yarbrough was a member of her ancestral church, Fairview Baptist. She served as church secretary, Vacation Bible School director, choir member, and WMU President. As a student at East Limestone High School, Mrs. Yarborough participated in drama and choir clubs. She was an all-county basketball star who, along with her sister Ruth, led the team to a State Championship. She married Jesse Yarbrough in 1942 and enjoyed a long and wonderful marriage that lasted 58 years. During that time, they raised two children, Maureen and Steve. As a parent, Mrs. Yarbrough was PTA President and was very involved in local school activities. As the children grew, she felt the call for further education and attended Athens College (now Athens State University) where she played intramural basketball and earned a degree in Secondary Education, graduating Summa Cum Laude. She then returned to school for graduate study and received her Master of Arts degree in 1969. She had a 27-year teaching career which included teaching English and Literature at East Limestone High School. Mrs. Yarbrough loved teaching and preparing her students for college English. Through the years she taught hundreds of students who fondly remember her to this day. Former students were able to keep up with her in later years through her active postings on social media. This correspondence with students from years past brought her much joy.
In retirement, Mauvoline enjoyed traveling across the United States and abroad and reading as many books as she could. Her collection of treasured books quickly overtook all the shelves in her home library. Her children and grandchildren were a great source of pleasure, and she was actively involved in their lives as they became adults, married, and had children of their own. An avid supporter of Auburn University, she was thrilled to see many family members attend college there. Mrs. Yarbrough was very close to her granddaughters, Millie, Molly, and Alice, their husbands, and great-grandchildren. Christmas at Mimi’s was the BEST and became a special tradition for the entire family each year. Days and days were spent in preparation of wonderful food and decorations to celebrate together. Mimi was the heart of this family and will be missed more than words can describe.
Mrs. Yarbrough’s last years were spent in the comfort of her home. She was cared for by her daughter, loving caregivers, and Hospice of North Alabama. The family is especially grateful to Amy Decker, Amy Sayne, Amanda Guy, Brittany Foster, Geri Green, Liz Crow, Vickie Griffin, Kaileen Towery and Shannon Sims.
The funeral service for Mrs. Yarbrough will be at Fairview Baptist Church, 27550 Nick Davis Road, Athens, AL 35613, on Saturday, September 18 at 10:00 am with pastor John Prater officiating. The family welcomes all and respectfully requires that masks be worn at the service. To honor Mrs. Yarbrough’s great love of literature and her church home, donations may be made to the Athens Public Library and/or Fairview Baptist Church.
Pallbearers will be Benjamin Steber, Joseph Steber, Michael Steber, Brayden Garrison, Doug Garrison, John Perrins, and Nicholas Perrins.
Honorary Pallbearers will be Kenneth Prater, Phillip Blackmon and Bill Lokken.
Donation information: The Foundation of Athens-Limestone Public Library (online link or by phone 256.232.1233) https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?id=1&name=E141919 Fairview Baptist Church contact number 256.233.0809
