Patricia S Marrs

Every Christmas for the last several years when Pat Marrs entered her daughter’s home for the Dean holiday celebration she would inspect the Christmas tree from head to toe making sure each and every ornament was just so and then give her nod of approval, for you see, Christmas was her favorite time of year.

Dear Pat died peacefully on December 22, 2011 in Marietta, Georgia with her family by her side. She was 77 years old. Patricia Stewart Marrs was born in Pineville, West Virginia on January 3, 1934 to Vaughan and Ruby Stewart. Although Pat was an only child she developed close relationships with childhood friends and cousins and maintained them throughout her life. She enjoyed the small town life and was loved by all for her sweet and kind nature, her wit and wonderful sense of humor. Pat attended Concord College in Athens, West Virginia. It was there that she met her future husband, Robert J. Marrs, Jr. She was a member of the Sigma Sigma Sigma sorority, president of the sophomore class and Concord’s Women’s Swimming Champion, 1953.

A great beauty with a heart of gold, she was elected Miss Concord College in 1953 and won the title of Miss West Virginia. Pat represented West Virginia in the Miss America Pageant in Atlantic City in September 1953 and was appointed by Governor William Marland Princess to the Mountain State Forest Festival in Elkins, West Virginia.

Pat married Air Force Lieutenant Robert J. Marrs, Jr. of Welch, West Virginia on December 27, 1953 and remained happily married for 54 years. Pat was a stoic Air Force officer’s wife who kept the hearth warm and often raised their two children alone while her husband flew combat missions over North Vietnam and served as the navigator on B-52 bombers carrying nuclear weapons. Pat’s military life from 1953 to 1978 included many positions of leadership among the wives of other Air Force officers at bases in El Paso, Texas; Grand Forks, North Dakota; Orlando, Florida; and Warner Robins, Georgia. When Bob retired from the Air Force, he and Pat returned home and lived in Beckley, West Virginia. They lived there happily for many years until Bob’s health required them to move to Marietta, Georgia to be close to their daughter Beth. Bob died shortly thereafter. Pat lived at Parc at Piedmont in East Cobb for five years, making many new friends and enjoying the wonderful environment. She was able to spend quality time with her daughter and her family and also enjoyed her days talking on the telephone, writing and reminiscing with her cousins and friends back home. She was a prodigious letter writer and sender of cards for all occasions. Pat had a great love for film and music and had an amazing memory. Unique in every way, a charmer in personality and beauty, Pat will be missed dearly by her family and countless friends.

The family would like to thank the staff and volunteers of Metropolitan Hospice of Marietta for their kindness and wonderful care during this difficult time. She is predeceased by her husband, Lt. Colonel Robert J. Marrs Jr. (USAF-Ret). She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Elizabeth Marrs Dean and Bruce Alan Dean, Marietta, Georgia; son, Robert J. Marrs III, Orlando, Florida; and grandchildren, Rebecca Anne Marrs and Robert J. Marrs IV. The family will receive friends on Thursday, December 29 from 2 PM to 4 PM at H.M.Patterson and Son, 1157 Old Canton Road, Marietta, Georgia, 30068. There will be a graveside service at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia at a date not yet determined.

Arrangements under the direction of H.M. Patterson & Son-Canton Hill Chapel, Marietta, GA.