Marie June Karr, 86, of Cleveland, Tenn., and a lifelong resident of Wapella, passed away Monday morning (Feb. 8, 2016) in Cleveland in a local health care facility, surrounded by family.

She moved to Cleveland, where she resided with her daughter. Marie was a twin daughter, born to John and Iva Stone Leggett. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Melvin W. Karr, whom she married on Oct. 27, 1950; her granddaughter, Amber Taylor; her grandson, Rhet Campbell; her twin sister, Jane Thorp; and another sister, Jean Cusey.

Marie was a graduate of Wapella High School and attended Illinois State University. She worked in a nursing home as a cook before her retirement. She and her husband farmed for many years near Wapella. After farming, Marie assisted her husband as a rural meter reader for Corn Belt Electric for many years. She enjoyed her flower gardening, drinking coffee and working crossword puzzles. She was an avid Chicago Cubs fan and a fan of the Fighting Illini basketball team. Marie cared for several of her grandchildren as a daily babysitter. She was of the Christian faith.

Survivors include her daughter, Sara Campbell; her husband, Kyle, of Cleveland, Tenn.; her sons, Richard (Jodi) Karr and Grant (Taresa) Karr, all of Clinton; Brad (Kim) Karr, Wapella; her 17 grandchildren: five granddaughters, Jennifer, Lynn, Lori, Staci and Tess, and 12 grandsons, Jason Mathew, Jason Dale, Jeremy, Kristopher, Scott, John, Brandon, David, Tyler, Neil, Logan and Payton; 10 great-grandchildren, Adam, Alex, Kelsey, Isaac, Blake, Mackenzie, Katie, Brady, Ray and Konnor; and her special canine companions, Honey and Sugar.

A celebration of life service for her family will be at a later time in Illinois. The family requests that memorials in her name be made to the Lee University School of Nursing, Prayer Room, c/o Lee University Office of the President, 1120 North Ocoee St., Cleveland, TN 37311. The Jim Rush Funeral and Cremation Services North Ocoee Chapel have charge of the arrangements. You may share your condolences and your memories with the Karr family at www.jimrushfuneralhomes.com.