Marva Mae (Lewis) Martin

Marva Mae Martin was born September 16, 1949, to Mr. Cleveland Lewis Jr. and Mrs. Gary Ethel Simon of the Lewis Barber Shop, where the family gathered to spend time together.

Lewis in Chicago, Illinois. Marva was the third born of eight children and her parents were the proud owners of the lewis Barber Shop, where the family gathered to spend time together.

Marva was educated in Chicago Public Schools and graduated early. During her high school years, Marva met her husband John Martin. They were married in 1967, when he returned from his tour of duty in Vietnam, just days after her 18th birthday. They moved to a military base in Kansas and started their family, having two sons.

Marva always loved helping people even as a child. At a young age, she knew she wanted to be a nurse.

Nursing was her passion and she loved working with her patients. She treated every patient like family and was an amazing advocate to everyone who came in her path. Marva was an expert in her field; if anyone, family or friend had a medical question, Marva was the person they called. Marva had a 41 year career in nursing before retiring in 2014. At which time, grand-parenting her three grandchildren became her full time job.

Marva was a grandma in every sense of the term, always available for sleepovers, always providing their favorite snacks and never turning down a family game no matter what time of night it was. She never missed a grandchild's game, play, or special event. Family was extremely important to her and the annual Lewis family reunions brought her endless joy. She was always available to her family day or night, on the phone or in person. She would shake off her own troubles and help whomever deal with theirs. She was the ever-present dose of love and logic so many of us will miss terribly.

Marva was a dedicated member of the Eastside Church of Christ in Pontiac under the leadership of Pastor Robert Brewington, where she enjoyed attending services when she could and loved volunteering with their food pantry.

Marva's parents and siblings, Dr. Ruth Lewis-Knight, Loraz Renita Muhammad-Ali, and Tracy Lewis, preceded her in death.

She leaves to cherish her precious memory: two loving and dedicated sons, Maurice A. Martin (Joann) and Marcel A. Martin; two grandsons, Michael (Simone) and Maxwell; one granddaughter, Hannah; most recently a great-grandson, Miko; siblings, Clarence (Debora) Lewis, Ethel (Grover) Boone, and Lorna Renee Lewis: cousin, Ronnie Lewis who was like a brother to her; nieces and nephews, Marlena (William), Phillip (Angel), Rebecca and Mario; a host of other relatives and friends who she loved and cherished.

The Memorial Service for Marva will be livestreamed beginning at 12:00 PM. Please click on this link for the service.

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