Lura McCracken Marr Roberts

LURA McCRACKEN MARR ROBERTS PHOENIX- Lura McCracken Marr Roberts, 94, passed away peacefully on December 22, 2010, in Phoenix, AZ, as a result of complications resulting from a broken hip. She was born June 26, 1916, in Fairview, N.C. to Dr. Cicero McAfee McCracken and Helen Clayton and was the youngest of eight surviving children of that union. Later, following the death of Helen, Dr. McCracken married Johnnie Ruth Turner and produced three more children. She was the great, great granddaughter of Joseph Cass and Sarah Vaughn McCracken, pioneers who were the first settlers in the Crabtree-Ironduff valley of Haywood County and the granddaughter of Joseph Franklin and Julia Howell McCracken. Lura was married to Claude C. Marr (deceased), former principal of Sand Hill School, and is survived by her son, Joseph (Rebecca) of Phoenix, AZ, grandchildren, Isaac Calvin (Stephanie) of Lake Tahoe, CA, Erin McCracken, and Joseph Andrew of Phoenix, AZ, and a great grandson Gunnison Joseph of Lake Tahoe, CA. Lura is also survived by a brother Retired Colonel Julian McCracken (Sally) of Fairview, N.C. and many cousins, nieces and nephews. Following Mr. Marr’s death, she married Edward G. Roberts (deceased) of Asheville. She graduated from Mars Hill College and UNC-G (Women’s College) with a B.A. in elementary education and began teaching at Biltmore School. She later taught at Sand Hill Elementary School where she finished her career in 1968. For many years she was a member of Acton Methodist Church where she taught children Sunday School and was a faithful member of the Woman’s Society. Later, following her marriage to Mr. Roberts, she became an active member of Malvern Hills Presbyterian Church, a church that Mr. Roberts helped found. She was dedicated to the children she taught and treated each one as if they were her own. She will be remembered as being kind, gentle, a fantastic cook and a true friend to everyone she knew. But most of all, she had a golden smile and was a fantastic wife and loving mother who always placed her family ahead of herself. She will be missed by all who knew her, but she will never be forgotten, and the way she lived her life will be an inspiration for future generations. A memorial service will be held in Phoenix, AZ at Desert Foothills Methodist Church. A graveside burial service will be held at Acton Methodist Church Cemetery in Asheville, N.C. in the early spring. Relatives and friends will be notified of the graveside service time and date.