Nancy Churchwell Marrs

1930 –2018

It is with deep sadness that we announce the sudden passing of our mother, Nancy Churchwell Marrs, on November 27, 2018. Born October 5, 1930 in Shawnee, Oklahoma to Laura and Ernest Churchwell. She grew to be a v ivacious dazzler. In Tulsa, Nancy graduated from Will Rogers High (drum majorette), attended Oklahoma A & M University (cheerleader/Kappa Alpha Theta sorority), modeled for Miss Dorothy’s Fashion Boutique and taught ballroom dancing at Skilly’s School of Social Dance . In 1952, she married widower Glenn Marrs (daughter Jacqueline, whom she adopted). Stephanie was born in 1953 and Melissa in 1955. The family moved to Houston in 1960, where she remained until her death. Nancy lived a life in service to others (Tulsa Panhellenic Association, Whispering Oaks Garden Club-Chair Horticulture Committee, Civil Defense Coordinator, Chi Omega/Delta Gamma Mothers' Club, Scout Leader, Sunday school teacher at Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church, PTO/PTA and voting site poll volunteer) and modeled for Ben Shaw Modeling Agency. Nancy loved water skiing, figure skating, fencing, sailing, horseback riding (kept our retired race horse "Thunder" in our backyard on the weekends), dancing and socializing. She insured her daughters were exposed to the 'arts' via training in ballet, piano, ballroom dancing, church choir and painting. They were idyllic early years in the Whispering Oaks Subdivision. One year she had the chicken wire and orange tissue clad Cinderella's carriage and sheetrock castle (from a parade float made by Jacque's Chi Omegas) brought home. We kids went wild as these fairy tale icons came down the street and were put in the back yard. Like the pied piper leading us into play, Mother was always such fun.

In the summer, she would put up a full parachute 'tent' (like a big top) to protect us from the sun, then roll out the galvanized cattle tank from behind the garage and fill it as our 'baby' pool. Mother's great uncle Bob Roddy would bring us a gunny sack of field corn. She taught us the rewards of hard work by having us shuck them all, but would then boil them up, set laden TV trays around the tank and we would swim in circles eating fresh hot buttered ears of corn and sipping lemonade. Divorced in 1965, Nancy had to step back from being such an active mother. To support us, she worked for Avon, Amway, Houston Trunk/Bag & Baggage, Biljac, and for J. L. Phillips in sales at Memorial Drive Townhomes, most of his subsequent projects (until his retirement) and then for many developers of this genre. Mother built up a small real estate empire, comprised of rental condos and townhomes from these developments. She was a licensed Realtor and Broker until 2017.

As her parents’ health declined, she returned to Tulsa in 1990 to assess the situation; then became their caregiver in her home around 1991, until they passed. Mother spent 15 years caring for them and then several dear friends. It was around 2008 that hints of dementia began to surface, necessitating intervention by friends and family. In 2013, she chose to move into her 2 room suite at Brookdale-Sugar Land. Ensconced like a little Princess, she was safe, happy, cared for and had a gentle social life back. Shades of yesteryear, Nancy was even crowned Queen of the 'Senior' prom. She was a staunch Republican and never met a stranger she didn’t like. She was always game for an adventure, whether to Grand Cayman or Mexico, carding cotton or playing with the chickens at the George Ranch or hunting shells on the beach. She loved attending her grand and great grandchildren's guitar/band concerts, school plays, soccer/basketball/baseball games, cheerleading/track events and cattle competitions at the Houston Livestock Show. Mother even went on a mobile pub crawl last Christmas in Austin with the Alfords!

Predeceased by her parents and elder brother John (Norma/ Dorothy); she is survived by brother Pete (Sandy), daughters: Jacque Cundieff (Elliott), Stephanie Alford (Mike), Melissa May (Steve), grandchildren: Larissa Scott, Casey Cundieff (Rita), Steven (Taylor), Brian (Kristen) and Greg Alford, Keenan and Brandon May; Great grandchildren Callie Carrasco (Mario), Savannah Scott, Elliott and Claire Cundieff, cutie pie great great granddaughter Georgia Carrasco plus a host of other family, friends, Brookdale-Sugar Land caregivers and generations of wild raccoons!

Her Houston funeral is Saturday, 12/15/18 at Memorial Oaks Cemetery-13001 Katy Freeway. In the Texas Liberty Chapel, 1:00-2:30 is the visitation/viewing with 2:30-3:30 service to follow. Mother is out in the fields with God now!

She will be interred January 12, 2019 in Tulsa at the Memorial Park Cemetery, alongside her beloved parents, brother and sisters-in law. Moore Southlawn Funeral Home will have the details shortly about the service there and reception (918/663-2233, www.moorefuneral.com).

Always a strong supporter of veterans and caring for neglected animals, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: www.restorationranch.org out of Bastrop, Texas. This charity provides therapy for veterans and their families via rescued equines. At their website, a donate button is in the top right corner, which takes you to the 'online store'. Click on the "donate now" button under the words "lend your support today". You may then enter your donation amount and payment selection (PayPal or credit card). It will then take you to a screen where you can "Add a note". Please indicate "In memory of Nancy Churchwell Marrs", so the charity can let the family know and they can express their appreciation.

**To view all 250 photos at this site, make sure and click the right hand button "From the Family". This will load more than the few initially shown. At the bottom of each page is another button then that says "Load More". This will load the next set. There are some great photos of mother throughout. Her younger years are about mid way through. Thanks.**