Marzelle Irvin

MARZELLE IRVIN Racine- Ms. Marzelle Irvin, 80, passed away in Greenfield at the Kindred Hospital on Friday, December 23, 2005 following a lengthy illness. Marzelle was born on September 13, 1925 in Shell, Arkansas. When her cousin, Marion T. Franklin, died in 1969, she moved to Kansas City to raise Marion’s six children. With nine children of her own and now Marion’s six, Marzelle was a tireless, nurturing mother with responsibility of making sure all fifteen of her children stayed on the right track in life and would become successful. During this time, Marzelle was employed as a nursing assistant at the University of Kansas Hospital and worked a second job in a hotel to financially support her large family without assistance from anyone else. She wanted all of her children to have a better life than she did and put every last dime toward this dream of hers. Marzelle is a true inspiration to her family and they will never forget the sacrifices she made in her life to enhance theirs. May she deservingly rest in peace. Marzelle came to Racine on October 3, 2003, to be near her family, when she began to feel ill. While here, she was a dedicated and valued member of Wayman AME Church. Until her health began to fail, she enjoyed volunteering at various senior citizen programs and extending a helping hand to whoever was in need. Among many of her interests, she loved playing dominoes and cards. She took great pride in winning often, especially against younger men. Surviving are her children, Eugene Irvin of Washington, D.C.; Jesse Irvin of Kansas City; Jessica (Ted) Williams of Racine; Aaron (Lois) Irvin of Marietta, GA; Henrietta (Gary) Sisson, Kenneth (June) Irvin, Douglas (Gloria) Irvin, all of Kansas City; Joseph Franklin III of Leavenworth, KS; Deborah Franklin of Kansas City; Preston Franklin of Plainsville, VA; Dorthea Franklin, William Henry Franklin and Sylvia Austin, all of Kansas City; many, many cherished grandchildren, great-grandchildren, other relatives and friends too numerous to mention by name. Marzelle was preceded in death by her father, Elmo Parks; mother, Maggie Moon Parks; sons, Lawrence Irvin and George Michael Irvin; brother, Lawrence B. Jones; sister, Ruby McClemore; and daughter-in-law, Patricia Irvin. Her Homegoing Celebration will be held in the funeral home, 4600 County Line Rd., on Friday, December 30, 2005 at 11:00 am with Rev. Charlene B. Mills officiating. Interment will follow in Graceland Cemetery. Viewing will be in the funeral home on Friday from 9-11 am. Special note of thanks to Midwest Dialysis, Dialysis West, Dr. Hekimoglu and the staff of St. Mary’s Medical Center, and Kindred Hospital especially Linda RN, for the tender loving care and support that was so warmly extended to Marzelle and to our family. God bless all of you!