Marva L. Powell, age 81, of Everson, passed away on Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2018. She was known for her servant’s heart, unconditional love and strong faith.
Marva was born Sept. 7, 1936 in Anthony, Kansas, to parents John and Bertha (Villines) Kirsch. She was one of five children. The family moved to Fayetteville, Arkansas, where she grew up and graduated from high school at age 16. She went on to the community business school where she met Richard Powell. Marva and Richard were married on Oct. 15, 1955, moving first to California and then on to the Everson area of Washington. Marva and Richard owned Serv-U grocery in Everson until 1969 when she retired to raise their family. They built the Everson Shopping Center and later owned the Everson Cleaning Center.
Marva started the “Soups On!” soup kitchen at Sterling Drive Church of Christ in Bellingham. She loved to spend time with family and the grandkids, traveling all over the world and even treating the grandkids to a trip after graduation. She earned her private pilot’s license in 1987 at the age of 51.
Marva was preceded in death by husband Richard; son Lance; brother George Kirsch; sisters Lena Frank Huffman, Mildred Blowy and Betty George.
She is survived by children Richard (Janice) Powell, Shannon (Jeff) Van Beek; daughter-in-law Mona Powell Strickland; grandchildren Lance Jr. (Lauren) Powell, Joan (Chris) Henard, Kenzie (Troy) Stap, Michael (Megan) Powell, Haley Van Beek and fiance’ Gerald Sutherland, Matthew Neyens, Brianne Neyens and Kristopher Powell; great-grandchildren Rylann, Skylar, Gavin, Carey, Kasen, Kenleigh, Axl, Coleson, Charlie, Riley, Jordyn and Mason; and numerous other relatives.
A special thank-you to the staff and caregivers at Spring Creek Retirement and Assisted Living for their wonderful care and love given during the last few months.
The funeral service was held on Saturday, March 3, in Nooksack Valley Reformed Church, followed by graveside committal in Nooksack Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation at www2.jdrf.org. You are invited to share your condolences and memories in the online guestbook at www.gilliesfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements were entrusted to Gillies Funeral Home and Cremation Services.
