Early on November 24, 2022 — Thanksgiving Day — Marvin Avery of Houston, Texas, transitioned from this life to the next. Prior to Marvin’s unexpected, rapid decline with sepsis, the plan had been for Marvin and his wife, Marcia, to join his son Kevin’s family in Broken Bow, Oklahoma, to celebrate Thanksgiving with them. Sadly, Marvin was unable to do as he had hoped, but his wife was grateful to continue this plan to be with family. Additionally, when arriving to the cabin in Broken Bow, peace covered Marcia as she saw that the cabin was named “Our Father’s House.” Expressions of faith, hope and love filled the home. Of course, as beautiful and peaceful as the setting is, we know it pales in comparison with what Marvin has been experiencing since entering our Father’s House in Heaven. No comparison.
On April 6, 1950 — 72 years earlier — Marvin Lynn Avery was born to Russell Woodrow and Mary Genelle Avery. He was the youngest of their three boys: Richard, Lee, and Marvin. This was a family who embraced family and the outdoors. When able to be together, they loved the lake and fishing. They loved sports. His father often coached little league teams, and little league became a forerunner to baseball, basketball, and tennis. Marvin played on the church basketball team in junior high and played tennis on his high school team. Also, the Averys were active members of Lindale Baptist Church, where Marvin was baptized at age 10.
However, there was a fracture in their American Dream. In fact, the dream was almost shattered. In 1959, Marvin submerged into a coma before doctors could determine he was dealing with juvenile diabetes. Amazingly, during this coma, Marvin’s great grandmother and her dog came to accompany him in his dreamlike state. When it was time for them to go, Marvin wanted to follow them, but his great grandmother stopped him, saying, “It’s not your time yet.” He soon came out of his coma, and clearly, the Lord’s prognosis is best. Although doctors said that Marvin would die by the age of 30 and although this was later pushed back to age 40, he lived 42 years beyond the initial prediction.
Still, motivated (at least in part) by the initial prognosis, Marvin and Marcia Kay Nelson were wed on October 25, 1969, when they were both 19 years old. In 1972, their son Steven was born, followed three years later by his brother, Kevin. In Texas, California, and Florida, Marvin worked in business – mostly with oil and gas companies, but on weekends, Marvin and Marcia worked with different ministries. In Bakersfield, California, the Averys assisted Reverend Curtis Boland and his wife to serve the families of Mexican migrant workers. Serving alongside the green and white 1950s bus — the Chapel on Wheels — became a major family legacy. Marvin served as a deacon in each state they lived. He loved teaching Sunday school, whether with preschoolers (when Kevin was a pupil) or with the senior men’s class at West University Baptist Church in Houston.
Marvin was always a Houston sports fan, thoroughly celebrating when the Astros recently won the World Series. He also would always cheer when a double-coupon opportunity would arise, but his greater joy was family. He deeply loved his parents and brothers. He loved his wife, two sons and four grandkids so much. He often verbalized the joy of living long enough to experience his sons’ weddings, and he cherished being called Grandad. Steven and his wife, Yu Ying (Nancy) Lee, have Ava and Veronica. Kevin and his wife, Dayna Leigh DeBorde, have Molly and Hudson.
These last few years have been quite difficult for Marvin, but he overcame much to extend his time with Marcia and family. With joy, he and Marcia celebrated their 53rd wedding anniversary this past October 25. Without doubt, Marvin Lynn Avery is already greatly missed and will be cherished for years to come. We are grateful for his life and legacy. We are grateful for his faith in Christ Jesus, which continues even now.
Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, December 3, 2022 at 10:00am in West University Baptist Church, 6218 Auden St, Houston, TX 77005 followed by a burial service at Brookside Memorial Park on Sunday, December 4, 2022 at 10:00am.
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