Willa Dean Marvin

 Willa Dean Marvin

 October 10, 1931       July 29, 2020

Willa Marvin, former resident of Tiptonville, Tennessee died peacefully upon the dawn of the morning on July 29, 2020.  She was surrounded in her room which was full of love at the residence of her daughter in Birmingham, Alabama.  

Willa and her beloved dog Eli moved to Irondale, Alabama in November of 2017 upon departing her endeared home on Reelfoot Lake.  She chose this move to be closer to her children.

Willa was born in Mooring, Tennessee on Oct 10, 1931 to the late William Hardy (WH) and Lillie Lovings.  She was a 1949 graduate of Ridgely High School where her most memorable time was being a four year basketball all star on the Ridgely Lady Green Waves team.  

During high school she began her work career employed in the superintendent’s office before beginning her employment with Tennessee Department of Employment Security.   She began her tenure as a typist in her senior year and continued through the ranks until ultimately being promoted to assistant manager before departing after 30  years of service.  Upon leaving this position she became the county manager of Dyer County Department of Human Services for five years.

To cherish her memory, Willa leaves her son Kyle Adams (Shannon) and her grand daughter Madison Rose Adams.  She leaves her daughter Belynda Adams (Laura).   She also leaves her sister Mildred Hall (George), her step-daughter Melanie Hill, step-son and daughter-in-law Rick and Mary Louise Marvin.  She is also survived by a host of nieces, nephews and cousins,,,,,,,,,,,, and her beloved dog Eli.

In addition to her parents preceding her in death were her husband Grady Marvin, her sister Daisy Brown and her brother JW Lovings.  Her dear friend and father of her children Joe Adams departed for his eternal home May 7, 2020.

                “Death is not extinguishing the light;

                   it is only putting out the lamp because

                   the dawn has come.”   

                                   — Rabindranath Tagore

  Graveside Services will be at 10:00 AM  Saturday August 1, 2020 at New Haven Cemetery in Ridgely, Tennessee. Officiating the service will be Dr. John Lowrance. Family and friends are asked to gather at the cemetery.

  In lieu of flowers any memorial contributions would be greatly appreciated to her church:  Woodlawn United Methodist Church, 139 54th Street North, Birmingham, Alabama  35212.

Johnson-Williams Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Willa Marvin.  Online condolences may be made to the family at johnsonwilliamsfuneralhome.com.

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