Our beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend, Marva Gribble Sperry, age 81, passed away February 15, 2014, of natural causes incident to age. Marva was born January 28, 1933, in Gunnison, Utah, to Henry Marsden and Virginia Whitlock Gribble. She had 3 brothers (Marsden, Marvin, and Hale Gribble) who all passed away as children.
Marva grew up on a ranch, raising purebred Hereford cattle. She loved animals, especially horses, and was her dad\s best ranch hand. She could ride horses and work cows with the best of them. She earned many awards in 4-H showing cattle, and she was crowned Rodeo Queen at age 18. She continued to ride horses up until about a year ago. Marva also enjoyed school, serving as Senior Class President and participating in track at Gunnison Valley High. Following high school, she attended BYU and Stevens-Henager College, where she met her sweetheart, Max Cleal Sperry. They were married for time and all eternity in the LDS Manti Temple on June 4, 1954. She worked as the Secretary for the State 4-H Club Office in Logan (while Max attended Utah State) and later worked in the same position for Salt Lake County. Max and Marva spent most of their years together in East Millcreek and Holladay, raising three children.
Marva was a wonderful mother, leading by example and teaching her children integrity in all things, the value of hard work, and the importance of standing up for what is right. She was always there to cheer them on in any endeavor, and she instilled in each of them a love of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Marva was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving in many callings in Primary, Young Women, and Relief Society. She was also a guide at the LDS Conference Center. Through her service, those she came in contact with benefitted from her testimony of the gospel and love of others.
Marva was the recipient of two kidney transplants. These transplants prolonged her life for 16 years. She often remarked how grateful she was for the sacrifices of others on her behalf, and she herself became a donor. She also volunteered at the Transplant Clinic at IMC for several years, helping those who needed transplants and encouraging others to become donors.
Mom, or Skip, as she was affectionately called by her husband and children, loved flowers (especially roses, tulips, and African violets), mountains, riding her horse, books, crocheting and knitting, and shoes. Most of all, she loved her family and spending time with them. She kept her family close by helping to plan a yearly trip and many fun activities. She was always supportive of her children and grandchildren, watching many of their athletic events and other activities. Known as "Grammie" to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, each one of them would say he or she was her favorite because she always made them feel that way.
She lived her life with dignity, faith, determination, and class, always trying to see the positive in life and in others. We will always remember her kindness, her sparkling blue eyes, her sense of humor and her love. We will miss her words of encouragement, her laughter, and her strength. We look forward to the day we will see her again.
Marva is survived by her husband Max; children, Dianne (Stanford) Durrant, David (Lori) Sperry, and Mark (Tiffany) Sperry; 14 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. Preceded in death by her parents and brothers.
Funeral services will be held at 12:00 noon on Saturday, February 22, 2014, at the Holladay South Stake Center, 4917 South Viewmont St. (2085 East), Holladay, Utah. Friends may call at the Stake Center Friday evening from 6:30-8:00 p.m. or one hour prior to services. Interment: Larkin Sunset Gardens. Online condolences welcomed at www.larkincares.com.
