Obit of Marr, Elna Ruth - Pottawatomie County, Oklahoma Submitted by: Gene Phillips 17 Feb 2008 Return to Pottawatomie County Archives: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ok/pottawatomie/pottawatomie.htm ===================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ===================================================================== ::Yellowstone Valley Memorial Park--Billings MT Marr, Elna Ruth While asleep at home in the early morning hours of Saturday, Sept. 8, 2007, Elna Ruth Marr peacefully passed away and was awakened by angels tenderly and lovingly escorting her to her eternal heavenly home with Jesus Christ, her savior. All of her loved ones, especially Jim, with open arms celebrated with much Joy and Happiness to finally have her Home! Elna was born on Aug. 7, 1924, in Shawnee, Okla., the daughter of Frank and Sylvia McCowan. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 57 years, James B. Marr, who passed away on Nov. 22, 2002. She was also preceded in death by her loving parents, Frank Isaac McCowan and Sylvia Nadene (Martin) McCowan; brothers Harry, Paul, infant Frank, Jr.; and sister, Dorothy. She is survived by sisters, Edna Mae Spearance and Frances Ann Lofton, both of Shawnee, Okla.; sister-in-law, Helen Potts of Bridgeport, Texas, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. She is survived by her two loving sons, James Michael Marr (Jeanie) of Billings and David Richard Marr (Mikie) of Montclair, Va.; five granddaughters, Heather Schwab (Brent) of Billings, Tiffany Marr of Denver and Kristen Marr, Sarah Lemn (Mat) and Allyson Marr, all of Virginia; one grandson, Rob Pedersen (Jodi) of Plentywood and two great-grandsons, Jarett and Jaxson Pedersen, as well as one great-granddaughter, Madison Mae Schwab. Elna was so very proud of her two sons and had so much love for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She thoroughly loved and thought the world for each and everyone. Elna was such a vivacious woman and was referred to as a "Ray of Sunshine" or "Miss Sunshine." Wherever she went, no one was a stranger to her and she was a truly gracious and kind Southern Lady who made everyone around her feel special. Growing up in Shawnee, she loved school and was in the Honor Society and also performed baton routines in the band. She is also remembered for saving the life of her younger sister Edna Mae from drowning while accidentally falling in the river while on a fishing trip. Edna Mae recalls how she grabbed her by her dress and pulled her with all her might out of the current. Edna Mae says she would not be here today if it wasn't for Elna and her quick thinking. Elna met her husband, James B. Marr in Oklahoma while he was attending Oklahoma Baptist University. They were married on July 10, 1945. Jim subsequently served in the war as a Naval Officer on a destroyer for 4-1/2 years. Elna was busy being the wonderful mother that she was and making a home until Jim came back home. He then finished his schooling at Oklahoma University where he earned his degree in geology and became a petroleum engineer. He then went to work for Philips Petroleum and went on many assignments for them which gave Elna wonderful, interesting and exciting opportunities. They went on one such assignment to London, England, and stayed for nine years. This is where she educated herself in antiques, and Jim joined in when possible on many of the excursions around England and some of the neighboring countries in Europe. Learning about antiques, meeting people and the fun and pleasure of finding some of their "prizes" provided great fun and accomplishment. Elna had such a great time, and everyone around her couldn't help but to be drawn to her light and bright smile. She became quite a master at going around to the many churches and other places to do brass rubbings and became quite successful and accomplished at this art. Unfortunately while living in London, Mom was diagnosed with breast cancer and was treated in London. Thankfully, to the excellent care and God's grace, she became a breast cancer survivor! We are sure she was a patient they had a hard time saying goodbye to and certainly miss her bright personality. After Jim retired, they decided to go to Denver to stay. They did live in Billings for many years in the beginnings of his career and while James Michael was born in Shawnee, he was 6 when moving back to Billings and growing up here. Before Billings, David Richard was born in Great Falls while the family was on assignment there for a time. However, David went with Elna and Jim to Denver and continued his education there. In spending their later years in Denver, that is where Jim passed away, and after several years Elna moved back to Billings where she enjoyed getting to see old friends and be closer to family here. Elna liked to do so much and both she and Jim enjoyed creative outlets, such as making pottery together and fishing. Even though Jim's game that he loved and excelled in was golf, Elna's game was bowling. She preferred this and did very well in it. She was in a women's bowling league and her team traveled to many tournaments around the area and they were very successful. She served as president of the G.E.O. wives club for a time and on a "smaller" scale was den mother to David's Cub Scout troop. She also worked for a time at the Toy Chest in Billings, which she really enjoyed. As you can see, she wasn't one to sit idle. There were many times she would "run" over to her son's grade school and bring freshly baked cookies for the children and teachers, and the aroma that followed these fresh baked cookies was kind of like her - her presence was a "sweet perfume" to many. She had a lot of strength of character and class. She was a lovely person with lots of heart. She enjoyed people and liked to entertain and have fun! She was not only beautiful on the outside but also on the inside and was truly blessed in her life. We all love you Elna and we will miss you deeply, yet we will always treasure knowing you and enjoying all the facets of the beautiful gem you are! There will be a viewing from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 13, at Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary, followed on Friday, Sept. 14, at 11 a.m. by the burial at Yellowstone Valley Memorial Park, located at 3605 Grand Ave. Our family would like to recognize and give thanks to her primary caregiver these past four years, Joanie L. McCubbin. Joanie was not only her faithful caregiver but became her loving friend. They enjoyed and had much fun together and Elna loved Joanie. Thank you, Joanie, we could not have done it without you, you made such a difference and learned how to understand and deal with Alzheimers and thus help us. You really cared for Elna deeply and she knew that. You were a faithful caregiver/friend/protector and we thank you again! We would also like to thank Big Sky Hospice for their sensitivity and knowledge and guidance to help lead us down this road with Elna. We extend our deepest thanks to the staff that helped during this time. You really made a difference and Joanie joins in to thank you doctors, nurses, social worker and volunteers, home health aids, and everyone. You are amazing! You helped Joanie and gave her so much support in that she was with Elna the whole way. We would also like to thank Hospice Chaplain Patty Paquette from Big Sky Hospice for encouraging and making us aware of the beautiful anointing with oil ritual we were so thankful to participate in just hours before Elna left this earthly realm. Being such a highly personal time in which we could express our hearts to her in such a special holy way really ministered to us and to her, especially since she passed away the next early morning. Our family also asks in honor of Elna, any contributions to be made would be given in her name to Big Sky Hospice and the .... More Published in the Billings Gazette on 9/11/2007. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Return to Pottawatomie County Archives: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ok/pottawatomie/pottawatomie.htm