Easter Esther (Kelley) Marr

Easter Esther Marr was born on May 2, 1931 to Elder Robert B. Kelley, Sr. and Josephine Kelley in Columbus, Ohio. At an early age, she assisted her father in playing the piano at various Primitive Baptist churches around Ohio. She attended Columbus Public Schools and graduated from Central High School in 1949. In 1944, Esther accepted Christ and united with Macedonia Baptist Church under Pastor B.L. Brantley. Over the years, she sang in the Junior Choir, served as a Deaconess, and was the lead pianist for the Chancel Choir, Children’s Choir, and various other ministries within the church. Having studied pipe organ at Capital University, Esther played piano, organ, and pipe organ for the Lott Carey Foreign Missionary Baptist Church Convention and at various churches throughout the eastern United States. She graduated from Bible Study Fellowship in the 1990’s. In her later years, she was also a faithful supporter and pianist at Committed To The Word Church. Esther was united in marriage with James Lee Marr, Sr. on August 5, 1951 at Macedonia. Through this union, they became the proud parents of James Jr. (“Jimmie Lee”). She worked as a federal employee at Lockbourne Air Force Base and the Defense Supply Construction Center (DSCC) for a total of thirty-nine years before retiring in 1988. After retirement, Esther continued her college education through Capital University’s Life Experience program. She was an avid bowler who traveled around the United States participating in regional and national tournaments. Esther was also a passionate lover of elephants! She had a generous heart and was known to be a giver who was always willing to help others. On Friday, May 19, 2017, at the age of 86, Esther was called home to be with the Lord while at Wexner Heritage Village. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her brothers, Robert Jr., Samuel, and Alfred Kelley, and sisters, Gussie Simmons, Connie Douglas, Hattie Talley, Ruth Brown, and Josephine Devlin. Esther leaves to cherish precious memories, her son and daughter-in-law, James L. Marr, Jr. and Linda Marr; grandsons, James III and Christopher; devoted niece Kathy J. Spies; sister-in-law Lucille Marr; goddaughters Donna (Lonnie) Norris of Boston, Massachusetts, and Marlaina Norris; godson Michael (Cecile) Norris; other family members, N. Carolyn Tucker, Gwen Williams, Andrea Adams, John Marr, Jr. (Tina), Steven (Tiffany) Marr, Tina Marr, Sunny Adams, Janie Devlin Clark, the Hogg family, and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends, including special neighbors, Shirley Potter, Mirian Mitchell, and Jimmy Price.