Marva Ann Peterson quietly went home to be with the Lord from her residence on Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024, at the tender age of 80. Marva was born May 10, 1944, at the Atkinson Hospital, in Coatesville, PA to the late Leona Ray Peterson and Herman Peterson. Marva was also the granddaughter of Elder Elroy and Mother Fannie Ray, founder of Ray's Temple in Lancaster, PA. After graduating from S. Horace Scott Senior High School, Marva moved to New York where she worked for an advertising agency, Doyle, Dane Burnback. After many years there, the company relocated to Canada and Marva followed her job.  She later moved to California, then to Virginia and finally back home to Coatesville. Marva was a member of the Ebenezer Full Gospel Baptist Church, in Downingtown, PA and was baptized under the leadership of Overseer James Harris. Marva was the mother of one son, Jeremy LaRue Peterson and the aunt to many nieces and nephews, her sister Lenora's kids. With such a tight-knit family Marva was always mistakenly thought to be one of Lenora's children and her nieces and nephew's sister. Wherever Marva decided on as her place of residence, her nieces and nephews were never far behind as she would have them with her doing the summers. Marva was the family storyteller and could tell a story that would leave you laughing from the bottom of your belly and boy could she tell a story.  She loved to read; her apartment is filled with all kinds of books. She always loved Archie comic books and kept busy doing crossword puzzles. Marva also loved plants and had a green thumb. She will be remembered for her daily text messages that started at 4AM every morning.  If we did not get a text from her, we would begin to worry. Marva worked for years as a volunteer with her dear friend Rudy Mayo at the Hutchinson Memorial Soup Kitchen until its closing. Marva leaves behind to cherish fond memories, one son, Jeremy L. Peterson; her nieces: Virginia Patterson (D.A.) and her husband Gary, Katherine McMullen (Kathy) and her husband Hank, Ernestine Parker (Ernie), Elizabeth Marva Jackson (Pebbles), Deborah Milbourne (Debbie) and her husband Karl, Gwendolyn McMullen (Gwen); her nephews: Ernest L. McMullen (Buster) and his wife Amanda, Herman McMullen (Duckie), and Robert McMullen (Robbie). She also leaves her great nieces and nephews: Andre' McMullen, Anika McMullen, Bill Brickus, Monica Parker, Travon Parker, Larry Jackson, Karlette Thomas, Brittany Milbourne, Danye' McMullen, Ernest McMullen, Sharmeen McMullen Carla McMullen, James Scott, Julius Scott, Dayshia Jones, Latonya Ricks, Ashely Durnell, Eric McMullen, Sharlene McMullen-Ober, Sharief McMullen and Daphne McMullen, thirty-four great-great nieces and nephews and six great great-great nieces and nephews. Marva was predeceased by her parents, her sister Lenora P. McMullen, and several nieces and nephews. Marva will be missed by not only her family but by the many friends she met along the way. A special Thank you from the family to the Abramson Cancer Center and the Penn Medicine Hospice Workers.

Miss Me But Let Me Go When I come to the end of the road And the sun has set for me, I want no tears in a gloom-filled room, Why cry for a soul set free? Miss me a little – But not for long And not with your head bowed low, Remember the love that we once shared, Miss me – But let me go. For this is a journey we all must take, And each must go alone, It's all a part of the Master's plan A step on the road to home. When you are lonely and sick of heart Go to your friends that we know, And bury your sorrows in doing good works, Miss me – But let me go.

Family and friends may share condolences and memories at the guestbook link tab on this memorial page where all are welcome to light a candle in her memory.