Joan Estelle Marr

Estelle Rush Marr, 92, of Charlotte, formerly of Southern Pines NC, entered into eternal rest on January 31, 2011. She was born January 25, 1919 in Lakeland, FL to James and Annie Palmer Rush. Her family moved to Clyde, NC when she was 5 years old where she graduated from Clyde High School and Mars Hill College. After graduating, she married John E. Marr Jr. on Pearl Harbor Day, December 7, 1941 in Mars Hill. They worked for the college until relocating to VA Beach and subsequently Greenville, NC and then Southern Pines, NC. Always strong in her faith she, was raised Methodist but while at Mars Hill became a Baptist. As a member of First Baptist Church in Southern Pines for 40 years she was very active in the life and programs of the church, especially playing piano for the children’s pre-school Sunday School. She also worked as a Yokefellow volunteer with youthful inmates at Sanarkand Youth Development Center. After her husband’s death in 2003, she relocated to Charlotte to be close to her son.

She is survived by her son, John E. Marr III (Ginger) of Charlotte and daughter, Joan Thurber of West Chester, OH. Also surviving are 3 sisters and a brother, 4 grandchildren; Susan Ballard (Bob), Paige Hutzler (Rob), Robert Thurber III and Matthew Thurber and 6 great grandchildren.

A funeral service will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, February 5, 2011 at McEwen Funeral Service, 10500 Park Rd., Charlotte, 28210 with Dr. David Helms officiating, Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church of Southern Pines. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the funeral service. A private interment will follow at Sharon Memorial Park. The family wishes to thank the staff at Regency Retirement Village and especially the Memory Care Unit for Estelle’s care during the last 5 years. Special thanks also to Charlotte Hospice and Palliative Care for their attention and care during the last 4 days of her life. Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, 200 E. New York Ave., Southern Pines, NC 28387.

Online condolences may be left at www.McEwenPinevilleChapel.com

Arrangements under the direction of McEwen Funeral Service-Pineville Chapel, Charlotte, NC.