The Neshoba Democrat
January 02, 1958

MRS. GEORGE MARS BURIED THURSDAY

Mrs. Laura Hoye Mars, 85, Philadelphia, died December 24 at her home, 532 Main St., following a long illness. Mrs. Mars, a native of Newton county, daughter of James C. Hoye and Lucy Emily Adams, was the widow of the late George W. Mars, one of Philadelphia's early leading businessmen. Mrs. Mars preceded her in death in September 1946. Her death was on their 66th wedding anniversary. In her earlier married life she was active in the mercantile business, Mars Brothers, of which her husband was a founder.

The women's organization of her church was a field in which she did much work. She was a charter member of the Women's Missionary Society, organized in 1906, and served in many capacities including presidency 1915 and 1916. When it became necessary to form a third circle in her church in 1938, Mrs. Mars was recognized for her work by the circle being named in her honor, the Laura Mars Circle. When the local Woman's Missionary Society became the Woman's Society of Christian Service, in 1940, Mrs. Mars was again a charter member. That same year, she was given a life membership pen and certificate by the Woman's Society in appreciation for her beautiful Christian life and for what she had meant through the years to the organization and to its individual members. The Laura Mars Circle has placed many beautiful pieces of furniture in the parsonage, these made possible largely through her generosity.

Mrs. Mars is credited with being one of the first to conceive the idea of the new First Methodist Church. And when the furniture was being bought for it, the Laura Mars Circle donated a baptismal front in her honor.

She was also a regular member in attendance at Sunday School. She had served as a teacher for many years and in later years was a member of the Friendship Bible class.

Survivors include one daughter, Mrs. D. W. Bridges of Athens, Georgia; two sons, Henry and Norman Mars both of Philadelphia; six grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren.

Last rites were held at 2:00 on Thursday in the First Methodist church. Reverends W. C. McLelland, Hugh Castle and J. L. Neill officiated. Interment followed in Cedarlawn. T. A. Webb, Pete DeWeese, Herbert Garrett, W. D. Myers, Cal Stribling, Ray Gipson, C. H. Hays and Homer Turner served as pallbearers. McClain-Hays Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.