Koenig-drayton, Marva
Marva Jean Koenig-drayton was suddenly called home at age 77 to be with the Lord on Sunday, August 29, 2021 with family by her side. Marva was born in Jackson, Tennessee on December 22, 1943, to Alton Holmes and Freddie Wallace. She was raised in Dayton, Ohio with her older brother Alvin by her mother and adopted father Howard Parker. She grew up in the church which fostered strong faith and community service. Marva went on to attend Knoxville College where she studied English and became a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She continued her education at Indiana University and graduated with a Masters Degree in Education. It was at Indiana University where Marva met
her first love and husband Victor Koenig. Together they
had her first daughter, Melanie. When Victor tragically passed away in 1973, Marva
who was a professor at the University of Minnesota, returned to Ohio, settling in Cleveland. There she met her loving husband of 36 years, Stanley Drayton, Sr. They blended their families and Marva gained a son, Stan Jr. To complete their family unit, they welcomed their last child Meghan. Marva inspired many people as a high school English Teacher, and later a guidance counselor. She empowered many students to realize their full potential. Later her family moved to Westerville, Ohio where she spent the remainder of her life committed to education and her family. Marva’s commitment to service was displayed in her years of leading Vacation Bible school, volunteering at the church community food bank, and a multitude of community service activities through her sorority. Marva was a forever learner who was full of life with a warm smile. She was loyal and supportive with lifelong friendships. Marva was a social butterfly who enjoyed dancing, sports, fellowshipping with friends and traveling. She was feisty and a vocal advocate with a competitive nature. Above all, she was a devoted mother, wife, a proud grandmother, and “adopted” mother to many. She was preceded in death by her parents Alton
Holmes, Howard and Freddie Parker, grandmother Ruth Wallace, husbands Victor Koenig and Stanley Drayton. Left to cherish Marva’s memory are her brothers, Alvin Parker and Larry Holmes. To carry on her legacy are devoted children, Stanley (Monique) Drayton, Jr., daughters, Melanie (Darryl) Koenig-robertson, Meghan (Edwin Jr.) Jackson, and grandchildren, Kendra, Noah, Chloe, Amari, Anaya, Ivory, and Edwin III., many nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles, in-laws, friends, and co-workers. Celebration of Life 10AM Friday, September 3, 2021 in the chapel of DIEHL-WHITTAKER FUNERAL SERVICE, 720 E. Long St., where her family will receive friends from 9AM until time of service. All visitors are asked to wear a mask and maintain proper distancing. A Celebration of Life Service will be streamed online to allow family and friends to honor Marva together at a distance. Interment Northlawn Memory Gardens. To attend the service remotely, send flowers and post an expression of sympathy and support for the family, please visit Marva’s memorial celebration wall at www. diehl-whittaker.com.