Marva Sanders

Marva June was born on March 24, 1932 in Thatcher, AZ at the Moody home next to Reay Lane. Marva was the second child and daughter of Glen & Verma Moody. Marva was born three and a half years after Glenna Grace. When Marva was very young she fell into an irrigation ditch on Reay Lane and went through a culvert under the road. Verma was sweeping the front porch when she saw Marva get washed into the culvert. Verma jumped into the ditch and after waiting for several agonizing moments, was able to pull Marva front the rushing water when she came out on the other side of the road. Verma's quick action saved Marva's life. However, Marva was sick for nearly a year from swallowing the muddy water. For a short time the Moody family lived in Cottonwood and Winslow, AZ, where Glen worked for Safeway. The family moved back to Thatcher on January 13, 1937. Glen & Verma purchased their first home for $500 in 1937. It had four rooms and an outhouse. They lived there when Marva's sister Kay was born on September 24, 1938. On July 25, 1944, the Moody family moved to their home on Stadium Ave. It was furnished and had nearly two acres of land for $3500. Glen & Verma lived out the rest of their lives in that home. Peggy was born on September 4, 1949. Marva liked to stay active and enjoyed fishing with her dad while on family vacation at Big Lake in the White Mountains. She was also very limber, doing cartwheels and backbends. In High School she was active in softball and tennis. She even played church softball into her 50's. Marva also became a wonderful cook and would make the best Mexican food and fried rabbit. She loved cooking for others. During the time of World War II, gas was rationed for vehicles. If Marva wanted to travel from Thatcher to Safford to go to the movies, she had to hitchhike with friends. It was during one of these hitchhiking events that Marva met Dick Sanders. Marva and Dick eloped and were married on January 13, 1951 in Lordsburg, New Mexico. Marva was 20 when their oldest child, Glen Craig, was born in 1952. Nearly five years later they welcomed a beautiful baby girl, Kathy Loren, who, like Craig, was born in Safford. David Corey was born in 1960 and Richard Kevin in 1963, both in Tucson, AZ. Dick and Marva moved several times living in Safford, Tucson, Continental and Sahuarita, AZ. Later in life, Marva & Dick bought a summer home in Lakeside, AZ. Kay and Peggy had homes in Clay Springs, AZ. They got together often and always enjoyed being with each other. Marva & Dick loved the mountains. Marva's whole life centered around her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Her family was her greatest joy and blessing and she loved each and every one. She was also a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. During her lifetime she served in many positions within the church. Marva was the last living member of her immediate family. She lost her father, Glen Moody in 1978 and her sister, Glenna Jackson in 1985. Marva tragically lost her oldest son, Craig in 1987, after he contracted Bubonic Plague. Marva's mother, Verma Moody died in 1995. Her youngest sister, Peggy Jackson, died in 2007 and finally, Marva's last living sister, Kay Mullenaux died in 2012. Needless to say the reunion Marva must be having in Heaven is a joyous one, as she had a tremendous and unfailing lover for her family.