Lilly Marie Marr

Lilly Marie Marr finally stopped procrastinating and passed away on June 6, 2025. Marie had the philosophy of, “If it can’t be done right don’t do it at all.” Her Son, John Marr and wife (Candy Marr) would surmise that low blood sugar is what finally took her life. After years of being told Diet Coke was not good for her she lived to be 88 years old as of April 28. The last drink she had was given to her by her daughter, Karen Lea. Yes! It was a Diet Coke. She only shared her cokes with one granddaughter, Heather Nicole. Lilly Marie lived a pauper’s life as she spent her allowance on feeding up to 40 or more hummingbirds every year with her home surrounded with feeders on every porch. She firmly believed that no one—not family, neighbors, or NASA engineers—could operate her tractor correctly but her. She trusted two things in life: the Lord and her own ability to drive that damn tractor better than anyone else. Her Six children knew the stray animals would always be taken in, exception for the legendary TN Possum that was either found in John’s dresser drawer or the chicken coop. Her lifelong sport was Nascar, and her driving skills showed it. Living in VA she visited Bristol Motor Speedway frequently. Her oldest son, Gregory Marr of Va. shared that passion with her. In 1985 Lilly Marie decided Empty Nesting was not for her, so she adopted 3 beautiful children so her Grandkids would have partners in crime. Shonna Marie Powers, Rebecca Ann Turner, and John David Marr. Having these three grow up alongside her grandchildren meant a house full of children sleeping on pallets in the floor where limbs could be stepped on if you were the unlucky one in the floor by the only bathroom. Her grandson Hunter Sykes’ favorite memories were getting John in trouble. Especially the time the kids watched “IT” then left him upstairs sleeping by himself. If you ever needed protection, all you had to do was call Marie—just like her granddaughter Heather always did. Now, if you even thought about messing with Heather Nicole, you’d best start saying your prayers… because Marie would have you out back, picking your own switch from the peach tree. And don’t think you could outsmart her by picking a little one—if it didn’t sting right, she’d go pick one herself… and that one came with extra attitude! Marie didn’t play. Southern justice, peach tree edition. Her granddaughters Rethie and Liliana Marr loved to go visit her at nursing home and draw her pictures and decorate her room. Her grandson Josiah Marr had the privilege to celebrate her last birthday on earth. Josiah loved to adjust her bed height and try to take it apart while visiting. These three grandchildren loved to FaceTime Granny Ree. Having raised her children as a Single Mother she was known to Drive a School bus, work a lunch shift then nights spent as a waitress. Marie had a business degree but the 70’s did not offer women fair pay, so work day and night is what she did Until she had her first Grandchild back in TN where Lilly Marie grew up. She sold her house and packed up like the Beverly Hillbillies and moved from VA to TN to be closer to her extended family and daughter Pamela. Pam blessed her with her first grandchildren; Christopher N. Hardy and Jennifer Marie Price. “Every Christmas Eve, Marie would gather us around and read the story of Jesus’ birth from the Book of Luke — because if anybody was gonna make sure we remembered the reason for the season, it was her. And if you stuck around after that holy moment, you might get treated to one of her legendary southern meals. By ‘legendary,’ I mean you’d better like freezer jelly on toast, a burnt frozen pizza, or — if all else failed — a solid bowl of cereal. Gourmet? No. Memorable? Absolutely. Marie didn’t need a five-star kitchen to feed you… just a little Jesus, a little jelly, and a whole lot of love.” Marie finished her career spinning glass at Owens Corning. Having her children and herself in Church every Sunday was a must. Marie now joins the heavenly choir with daughter, Pamela Darlene Sipes Cutler and sister, Betty Wood May. She leaves behind a collection of expired coupons, unmatched socks, and a family she occasionally liked, depending on how the holidays went. Lilly Marie Marr has 5 children on earth. She has left behind 17 Grand Children, 14 Great Grand Children and 4 Great Great Grand Children! Graveside services will be on Tuesday, June 10 at 11AM at Central Grove Cemetery.

Lilly Marie Marr

April 28, 1937 - June 6, 2025