Marvel Jo Webb Karr, age 93, of Wellston, and a former resident of Colorado Springs, Colorado, departed from this life and passed through the eternal gate to new life on Saturday morning, Jan. 4, 2020. She was born June 17, 1926 in Hamden, Ohio, the daughter of Everett B. Webb and Vera L. Tripp Webb, who preceded her in death.
Marvel “Jo” Karr married Roger Lewis Karr on Feb. 7, 1947, who also preceded her in death. They spent 48 years together, which included a tour of duty in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and another three-year tour in Europe with the U.S. Air Force. To them were born two sons, who survive, and their families; Larry R. Karr, and wife, Susie, of Austin, Texas, and Kim E. Karr, and wife, Diana, of Colorado Springs, Colorado. Also surviving are four grandchildren, Jodie (Bernie) Silvers of Austin, Texas, Ginger (Stuart) Gillen of Leander, Texas, Michael Karr of Colorado Springs, Colorado, and Christopher (Megan) Karr of Wellston, Ohio. Her family also includes six great-grandchildren, Jordan and Parker Silvers, Kayla and Sydney Gillen, and Kamryn and Reese Karr. Survivors also include sister-in-law, Bonnie Karr of Fort Walton Beach, Florida, and several nieces and nephews.
She attended elementary school in Hamden, Ohio and graduated from high school at Raccoon Township High School in Rio Grande in 1944. She attended Rio Grande College and transferred to Ohio University where she earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in 1947. She received her Master of Arts in Teaching from The Colorado College in 1968 and continued her post graduate studies at the University of Colorado. She was an art teacher in the Colorado Springs Public Schools, and pursued her education attending other universities in the United States, Mexico and Europe.
She was an active member of the Weisbaden Air Base Chapel while in Germany, and attended the Christian Women’s’ Conference at Bertchesgarten, Germany in 1959, and the Oberamagau Passion Play in 1960. She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Colorado Springs, and later at the Woodland Park Community Church in Colorado, where she taught Sunday school classes. She was a member of the Winters Chapel Church near her home in Ohio. She continued to be actively involved in the life of a local church throughout her life wherever she lived. Her membership in other organizations included The Colorado Springs Retired Teachers Association, Colorado Retired Teachers, and a life membership in the National Education Association. She was also a member of the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center, the Southern Ohio Foothills Arts Council, and a member of the Hamden Chapter of the Order of Eastern Star.
Calling hours will be Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2020, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the McWilliams Funeral Home in Wellston. Funeral service will be Thursday, Jan. 9, 2020, at 10 a.m. with Pastor Tim Jones officiating. Burial will follow in the Hamden Cemetery. Online condolences can be sent to the family at www.mcwilliams-funeralhomne.com