Ms. Marva LaVetra Ways

Celebrating The Life Of My Mother Marva LaVetra Ways: On Friday October 28, in the magnificent year of 1949, the birth of a remarkable woman by the name of Marva LaVetra Bridges, took place, in a rural part of Quincy, Florida to Reverend Columbus Bridges and Margie Pittman Bridges. Marva learned of and accepted Christ at an early age and as the seed was planted on fertile ground, from there it did grow. Marva attended and graduated from Jewett Senior High School in Winter Haven, Florida in 1967. While in high school, she was a part of the Young Adults Choir and Captain of the Cheerleading Team. After high school Marva attended Polk Community College where she studied early childhood. Marva was joined in holy matrimony with Eddie Lee Ways and in 1970, they migrated to Michigan to embark upon their future. To this union two children were born, Eddie Lee Ways and LaTronda Michelle Ways. Marva worked within Westwood School District as an early education teacher in the Headstart Program until an unexpected incident changed her life. On Tuesday, July 27, 1976 while traveling west, Marva, her children, her youngest brother, her youngest sister at the time, and her mother were involved in a tragic automobile accident. This accident resulted in the death of Marva's only son, Eddie Lee Ways Jr. and left her with a break in her neck and a prognosis from medical doctors that included permanent paralysis from the neck down, being told by doctors that she would only survive another year. But as our heavenly father would have it, she began defying the odds. She turned her tragedy into triumph and over the years became a very dedicated advocate for disability rights. Marva earned a plethora of awards including but not limited to her athletic contributions and participation in the disability community and her dedication and advocacy on behalf of those with disabilities. Having been inducted into the Wheelchair Hall of Fame, chosen to sit on several Board of Directors, partly responsible for the development of a C League for basketball, as well as a peer counselor to other physically challenged human beings, those who knew Marva knew of her marvelousness. She was a steadfast humanitarian who served as an example to all, with a multitude of achievements and accomplishments, that she never intended to receive accolades for, but are too numerous to list. Yet her greatest love and accomplishment next to serving her Lord and Savior, the one thing that Marva was most proud of, was her daughter LaTronda (Shelly) and the gift, through her, of not one male child, but the gift of three male children, Linton (Jay), Lenzell (Zell), LeJohn (Sekou), that Marva, until her death affectionately referred to as "Her Grandbabies." Marva was a humble woman who never boasted or bragged about the many milestones in her life. However, there were three things in life that filled her with so much joy and pride she could hardly contain herself when an opportunity arose to speak on them: her God, her daughter and her grandbabies! Just as Marva's life was led by God, on July 29, 2017, when God turned to Marva and opened his arms to her, she willingly walked into heaven.

Ms. Marva LaVetra Ways

October 28, 1949 - July 29, 2017