Marva Arlene Draper Watt's Obituary
Marva Arlene Draper Watt left this world on November 13, 2023, surrounded by family at her bedside. She was able to have a final get together with her family from all over the world thanks to modern technology. Marva was born on February 16, 1936, in Nephi, Utah to Marvin & Minnie Draper.
Marva met her high school sweetheart in 1952 and they graduated together from Davis High School in 1954. Marva and Ralph married on March 21, 1958, in the Salt Lake Temple. They have five children: Marinann (Rafael) Castillo, Sheralyn Watt, Marvin (Ruth) Watt, Brenda (Chris) Dye, and Shane (Liz) Watt. Along with their “adopted” Japanese daughter Nana Watt. They also have 22 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.
Marva graduated from Brigham Young University in Elementary Education in less than typical four years. While at BYU she was active participant in the Shomrah Kiyel (Waiting For & Hopefully Devoted to Your Missionary Club). Ralph even sent her engagement ring through the mail.
Marva substituted at several elementary schools for many years. She was known as the Brer Rabbit lady. She performed the story to every class along with voices for each character. One of her other favorite books to read to the kids was “Stop That Ball”. She always gushed about her first graders singing at her wedding reception. Her love of children and teaching started at a young age when she started her own children’s club.
She treasured the fact that each of her children had been through the temple. Her other treasures were her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. If anyone in the family had an activity, any play, sporting event, dance recital, or concert grandma and grandpa were always there. The saying in the family was that “Mom attended everything, and Dad drove.” She loved spending time with her family. You could often find her playing games like “Rack-O” and “Rummikub” with the grandkids. While visiting grandma’s house she would always ask, “what type of fruit do you want with your cheese sandwich”? Kids and grandkids were always enlisted to help during the canning season by picking and bottling the fruit.
Marva was very active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints including serving as the Primary President in two wards and many other callings. One calling she loved and had for many years was working on the ward newsletter. You would often find her walking around her neighborhood in order to stay up to date with everyone and their accomplishments. She always made sure that if there was any award or accomplishment by anyone in the neighborhood that they were acknowledged and praised. Marva was involved in both the local and state chapters of the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers for years. She served as captain of the Sandhill Camp for several years.
She is survived by her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her husband, Ralph, her parents, Marvin & Minnie Draper and her sister Darla.
A viewing will be held on Friday, November 17, 2023, from 6:00pm – 8:00pm. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, November 18, 2023, at 10:00am. A viewing will be held prior to the funeral services from 8:30am – 9:45am. All services will be held at the Lakeview Stake Center, 450 W 1800 S, Orem, UT. Interment will follow at approximately 2:00pm at the Bountiful City Cemetery, 2224 South 200 West, Bountiful. For those unable to attend the funeral service in person, the family has made available a Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84821279981
Meeting ID: 848 2127 9981
Thank you to Utah Home Health & Hospice & Enhabit Home Health & Hospice for the assistance they provided to Marva over the past several months.
Condolences may be left for the family at Premier Funeral Services at www.premierfuneral.com/obituaries/
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