Norma Louise Lott Singley Marrs

Norma Singley Marrs passed away on September 19, 2023. After gracefully accepting the bonds of Alzheimer’s for many years, she exchanged her mortal prison for her heavenly promise. Norma was born in Laurel, Mississippi to Myrtle Holcomb Lott and Hubert S. Lott on March 26, 1921, making her a centenarian of 102 on her death. She outlived her siblings, two younger sisters, Shirley Cole and Betty Jean Cornelius. She married Roland Marrs in 1947 and is survived by her three children, Arthur Douglas Marrs(Kathy), Diana Broussard(John), and Dr. Sharon Kessler. She is also survived by six grandchildren, Tim and Helen Marrs, Holland(Shannon) and Jeffrey(Patricia) Morrison, and Rachel and Jordan Kippur. In addition, she has seven great-grandchildren, Holland and Kennedy Marrs, and Skylar, Piper, Ramsey, Kirby, and Henry Morrison, as well as many loving friends and relatives.

Norma graduated from C.E. Byrd High School and Draughon Business College. Before she became a full-time mother, she worked for United Gas and Texas Eastern. She role-modeled the values and ethics of “the greatest generation” through her faith in God and her love for her country. She belonged to patriotic organizations and wrote letters to the editor of the Shreveport newspaper to this end. Her handwriting was beautiful, and she penned many letters to family and friends, often attaching articles, cartoons or interesting obituaries from the newspaper. Her southern gentility emphasized good manners, such as carrying a freshly pressed handkerchief, and hospitality, which always included food. She was especially known for her cornbread dressing, squash casserole and strawberry shortcake. She always served herself last when there was dessert. Her kindness toward rescuing animals resulted in her pets. She was a bird watcher who particularly loved cardinals at their most colorful. She loved to read and would sometimes sit down with an encyclopedia; she never lost her love of learning and loved revisiting Norton Art Gallery. She was a strong swimmer who as a young woman could swim across the Ouachita River. She loved to dance to big band music at the American Legion and watch Lawrence Welk (Joyce at Live Oak kept it available for her). She read health books before it was popular and cooked accordingly. She walked 3 miles a day and rode horses with her children, even though she was probably terrified. She loved sitting by the duck pond at Live Oak in her final years feeding the turtles, ducks and fish while listening to big band music. She greeted those around her with, “Bless you!” and “You are the best!” She was a true steel magnolia who experienced many hard times in her life, but prevailed as a sweet, gentle woman, who was independent, unselfish, and generous to a fault. She deserved better than life gave her; her reward is in heaven. Above all, she will be missed and remembered. A special thank you to the staff at Live Oak, LifePath Hospice, and Dr. Sally Ball, whose kindness and expertise kept Norma comfortable and cheerful. In addition, a heartfelt thanks to Dr. Erin Walker and her staff who helped facilitate her 100th birthday celebration during the Covid epidemic.

A graveside memorial celebration will be held Saturday, October 21, 2023, at Forest Park Cemetery, on St. Vincent Avenue at 1:00. In lieu of flowers or usual remembrances, consider visiting, calling, or writing to an elderly friend, relative or neighbor. Elderly lives matter.