Cecelia Marrs Konyn age 84 of Mansfield Ohio died August 30, 2025 at the Brethren
Care Village following a yearlong battle with recurrent breast cancer.
A grandmother, mother, photojournalist, story teller, and teacher – Cecelia’s life was
marked by her unyielding love for her world, including family near and far, her beloved
friends, and of course animals and nature. One of her favorite photographers, Ansel
Adams, said “you don’t take a photograph, you make it” – anyone lucky enough to have
their photo made by her knew this well.
She was born November 10th 1940 in Kingsport, Tennessee, the daughter of Luther
Marrs and Juanita Williams Marrs and graduated class of 1959 from Dobyns-Bennett
High School.
Cecelia would go on to study Health and Enviro-Health at Carson-Newman University
and ETSU respectively, earning herself a Bachelor’s of Science in 1964, followed by the
start of her working career as a PE teacher and basketball coach at Calvert County,
Maryland school system that same year.
In 1985, Cecelia would begin her career as a Photojournalist at The Sun News in Myrtle
Beach, South Carolina – a pivotal moment in her life which combined her endless
curiosity, knack for storytelling, and passion for others into a lifelong love of the craft.
Over her fourteen-year career, she would be recognized and awarded for her
photography, especially her work on the “Mrs. Ruby’s Schoolhouse” project.
In 1999, Cecelia would move to Mansfield to be with her son, daughter-in-law, and
grandsons. She loved spending time with family, hikes at Mohican State Park, the
Mansfield-Richland County library, the many animals in her life, and creating photos of
and especially for others.
She will be dearly missed by her son Eric Christopher Konyn and daughter-in-law Dawn
Marquis Konyn of Mansfield, grandson Justin Konyn and granddaughter-in-law Emma
Sakulich Konyn of Columbus, grandson Joshua Konyn and granddaughter-in-law
Chesney Smith Konyn of Columbus, sister-in-law Glenda Marrs, Nieces Polly (Danny)
Joyner, Maria (Jeff) Lansink, Jan (Mick) Brenner, Nephew Jud (Stephanie) Marrs, and
many of her beloved friends and distant relatives.
She was preceded in death by her parents Luther and Juanita Williams Marrs and her
brother Edward “Eddie” Marrs.
Calling hours will be held Saturday, November 8, 2025 from 10:00 -11:00 am in the Lexington Avenue Chapel of Snyder Funeral Homes with a memorial service beginning promptly at 11:00 am.
Funeral Home: Snyder Funeral Homes
Website: www.SnyderFuneralHomes.com