COLUMBUS
Martha Louise Marr, better known as Lou to friends and family, and Lou Lou to her grandchildren, peacefully passed away on July 20, 2022. She was born May 29, 1928, to Martha and William Guy Bower in Shelbyville, IN.
Lou married Ray Marr Jr. on May 19, 1951, and had five children: Martha Griffith Marr, Margaret Bower Marr (Ross Wallace), Ray Marr III (Delores), Guy Bower Marr (Sheridan), and James Edward Marr (Debbie).
She is survived by her children and grandchildren: Mary Marr (Matt Belcher), Ray Marr IV (Samantha), Charles Griffith Marr (Courtney), Nick White (Amber), Carter Hood (Wilson), and six great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and her brothers, William and Louis Bower.
Lou was graduated from Shelbyville High School in 1947, then attended DePauw University. She returned to DePauw to be graduated with a BA in Economics in 1977.
Lou led a very full – and very busy – life. She did more by 9 am than most people do in a day.
She cared deeply for her community, which she served well by giving her time to many civic organizations: Let’s Grow Garden Club, Kappa Kappa Gamma, Tri Kappa, Donner Swim Club (President), 4-H Leader, Brownie Leader, Monday Literary Club, Columbus Plan Commission, Bartholomew County Board of Zoning Appeals, Bartholomew County Historical Society (Board of Directors), and Preserve to Enjoy (Board of Directors).
Lou was also a savvy businesswoman. She was a real estate broker and oversaw many businesses over the years: Marr St. Denis/Marr Lucas Buildings (Manager), Marr Family Farms (Manager), Columbus Bank &Trust (Co-Founder), Doede’s Landscaping (Co-Founder/Partner), Booth Setser PTO (President), and Courtyard Coiffeur (Founder/Owner).
Lou had many other interests and hobbies throughout her life. She was involved in local and national politics, serving as Indiana Vice Chairman of the Goldwater for President campaign and as a delegate to the 1964 Republican National Convention. She was committed to historic preservation and to saving farmland from development. She was an avid, award-winning gardener who enjoyed sharing this passion with her children and grandchildren. Able to make anything grow and flourish, she could name any plant, flower, or tree without hesitation. It was truly amazing and inspiring to witness her talents.
Most of all, she loved her children, her grandchildren, and her dogs.
Martha Lou Marr was a force of nature, a one of a kind. May she rest in peace.
The family would like to thank the wonderful and amazing staff at Our Hospice of Indiana for their compassionate and loving care for Lou in her final days.
Expressions of sympathy may be given to Our Hospice of Indiana or the Bartholomew County Humane Society.
A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, September 10, 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm at the Marr Farm, 5005 N. Marr Rd.
Services were entrusted to Barkes, Weaver &Glick Funeral Home. Online condolences and special memories may be shared with the Marr family at www.barkesweaverglick.com.
