Obituary of Marva Lee Gregory
Marva Lee Gregory, 86, of Columbia, passed from this life and entered into the presence of our Lord and Savior on Thursday, May 9, 2019.
Marva Lee Gregory was born in Longview, TX on January 27, 1933 to the loving union of Mr. Jessie Marvin and Wenonah Lafferty. She grew up on her family’s farm on the old Bellevue Plantation. She rode horses, helped her daddy on the farm, and loved to play basketball. While watering her horse in town one day, a young man named Huey introduced himself and asked her on a date. From that point on, she and Huey were inseparable. They were married on September 6, 1951. The couple started their family in December of 1952 with the arrival of David, followed by Michelle, Michawn and Steve. In 1962 Huey passed away, leaving her to raise 4 children on her own. She worked 2, sometimes 3 jobs to give her children a great life and raised 4 respectable men and women. Her life’s work was her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. She was a lifelong member of the First United Methodist Church of Columbia and loved being a participant of the Earthly Angels and the Weslyans women's groups. She loved all of the ladies there. She worked diligently in her church, teaching Sunday School and Bible School until her health began to fail in 2012. In addition to her works in the church Mrs. Gregory was an active member of the Louisiana and Caldwell Parish chapters of the Cattleman’s Association and Farm Bureau. She also served as a member of the Caldwell Parish Garden Club and a board member of the Welcome Home Cemetery. She served as the secretary for the East Columbia Volunteer Fire Department. She worked for East Columbia Water District until 2012 when she retired at the age of 80.
Mrs. Gregory is preceded in death by her father, mother, and husband. Those left to cherish her memory include her son, David (Denise) Gregory, daughter, Michelle Gregory, daughter, Michawn (Michael) Thirion, and son, Steve (Sarah) Gregory; grandchildren: Dana (Meredith) Patton, Heath Gregory, Shawn (April) Thirion, Seth (Lanna) Gregory, Dori (Randall) Duchesne; great-grandchildren: Chelsea (Jacob) Bailes, Morgan (Jordy) Poole, McKensie Patton, Gracie Gregory, Isabella Thirion, Ariana Thirion, Michaela Thirion, Reese Gregory, Sophie Gregory, Addie Gregory, Drake Duchesne, Ella Kate Duchesne; great-great-grandchildren, Cullen Bailes, Bryson Bailes, Enslee Poole and Clayton Poole. One brother James Marvin Lafferty, a loving church family, numerous special friends and extended family.
Stephen Fife and Ben McGehee to officiate. Family will receive friends at The United Methodist Church of Columbia on Sunday, May 12, 2019 from 4-8 pm. A celebration of her life will be held at the church Monday, May 13, 2019 at 2 pm with graveside services to follow at Welcome Home Cemetery in Grayson, LA. Memorials can be made to The First United Methodist Church of Columbia, the Caldwell Parish Library, or the Rheumatology Research Foundation.
Pallbearers will be Drew Keahey, Ellis Spangler, Scott Meredith, Curt Jones, Phillip Wilkins, Clay Bennett, Randy Rentz and Richard Meredith.
Honorary pallbearers will be Bob Meredith III, Willie Hines, Ronnie Darden, Dr. Russell Cummings, Charlie Mack Rowland, Dr. Gary Warner, Randy Childress, Shane Hart and Steve May.
