Marva Jean Koenig-Drayton

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 & 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, fellowshiping 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 & 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. Charitable donations can be given in Marva’s honor through the following websites: https://tinyurl.com/alzheimersfdn https://tinyurl.com/dementiasociety