Marva Denise Hicks Taha

 

Marva Denise Hicks Taha, departed from this life on Friday, September 16, 2022, in her home in Manhattan, NY. Marva transitioned quietly, peacefully, and comfortably in her sleep with her doting and loving husband Akwasi Khalil Taha at her side.  

Marva was born May 5, 1956, to Catherine Hicks and Herbert Whitted in Petersburg, VA, both deceased.

All over the world, whenever Marva was asked about where she grew up, she would always answer with pride that she grew up in Petersburg Virginia. Marva grew up as a member of Good Shepherd Baptist Church where her grandfather Rev E.E. Hicks was pastor emeritus, and her Grandmother Lavesta Peterson Hicks was always nearby. There she was a member of the Peterson Hicks Memorial Choir.  Marva excelled in social activities and academics. She graduated from Petersburg High School in the Class of 1974.  It wasn’t until being encouraged by her Aunt Virgie in Atlantic City, NJ to participate in her annual youth talent showcase, and seeing the crowd’s overwhelming response, that she first realized her gift of singing.  And what a gift she had! After discovering her love for the theater, she attended Howard University’s College of Fine Arts where she earned her BFA, cum laude. Marva was a dynamic singer and actress that was able to live her life sharing her gifts on screen and on the world’s largest stages with the world’s biggest talents. One of the most endearing characteristics of our beloved Marva is that no matter how far she had travelled around the world, no matter how famous her colleagues have been over the span of her career or accolades she acquired and there were many, when she came home to Petersburg, she was simply, “Peaches”, a name she was affectionately known as by her close family and friends. Being home in Virginia for family reunions, birthdays, and weddings was pure joy for her.

Along with her parents and grandparents, Marva was preceded in transition by her sister, Gladoria G. Johnson. She leaves to cherish her memory, husband, Akwasi Taha, bonus sons; Rahshiene Taha (Erin), Yasin Bond (Chioneso) Grandchildren Seala, Savior, Morocco, Yamani, and Jalen; loving and devoted Mother-in-Law, Ashaki Taha; Brothers, Leon Whitted (Deborah), and Gregory Whitted, Sr. (Rosalind); Sisters in Law, Halima Taha and Shanti Kleiman; Brother in law, Kofi Taha; Nephews Cedric, Whitted and Gregory Whitted, Jr and one niece, Tynika Whitted; Her "Family of Cousins" and a host of devoted and loving friends, for whom her family will be forever thankful. Marva was truly blessed. 

Marva Hicks was a seasoned and versatile performing artist. Marva’s Broadway debut was with the legendary American jazz and pop singer, actor, and civil rights activist Lena Horne in “Lena Horne:  The Lady and Her Music.” While touring with Ms. Horne she met Stevie Wonder. Two months later, he invited her to join his tour in Japan.   Her distinctive voice was warm and powerful and led to Polygram Records signing her to a record deal.  They relocated her to Los Angeles where she recorded her self-titled album.  The album was released in 1991.  Her hit single, “Never Been in Love Before” peeked at #7 on Billboards R&B Charts and spent 17 weeks on the charts overall.  During her time in Los Angeles, Marva was cast as a recurring character on the television shows Star Trek: Voyager, as T’Pel the Vulcan wife of Tuvok, Mad About You as Paul’s assistant Remy, Sister-Sister and L.A.Law just to name a few.  While still living in California she paused her acting career to tour with Michael Jackson on his HiStory Tour.  When she landed the role of Jacarra Principle on the ABC daytime soap opera One Life to Live, she came back to the east coast where she was close to her family and her love, the theatre.  It wasn’t long before Marva returned to Broadway in “The Lion King” as Rafiki, followed by “Caroline or Change”, with the creative team of Tony Kushner, Jeanine Tesori and George Wolfe.  Then she would be introduced to the record industry giant, Berry Gordy, the founder of Motown Records who instantly considered her part of the Motown family because of her work with Michael Jackson and Stevie Wonder.  She was cast and featured in the record-breaking Broadway hit “Motown the Musical.”  Off-Broadway she was directed by Emmy and Tony Award Winner, Ruben Santiago Hudson, in the “First Breeze of Summer at Signature Theater.”  Marva was featured in the New York City Center Encores! production of “Cabin in The Sky: and the Encores Off-Center production of “Little Shop of Horrors” starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Ellen Greene. She brilliantly embodied the heartwarming character Mrs. Potts in the MUNY’S production of “Beauty and the Beast.”  Marva appeared in the world premiere production of “The Women of Brewster Place,” in the role of Etta Mae at the Alliance Theatre for which she received Atlanta’s Suzi Award for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical and a Helen Hayes Award nomination in the Arena Stage production in Washington DC. Marva was a favorite at Arena Stage and appeared in Crowns, Charles Randolph Wright’s “Cuttin’ Up,” “Sophisticated Ladies”, starring the incomparable Broadway veteran Maurice Hines and the blues musical “Thunder Knocking on the Door”, which earned Marva a Helen Hayes Award for Outstanding Lead Actress.  In a fresh and creative jazz and blues adaptation of “Porgy and Bess” in Austin TX, Marva played the role of Bess and received the B. Iden Payne Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in Musical Theatre.  While moving back and forth between the theatre and music industries she was fortunate to also spend time as a backing vocalist for the greats Whitney Houston, Chaka Khan, Michael McDonald, James Ingram, Glen Jones and others. For four years, Marva performed with Symphony Orchestras throughout the US and Canada with trumpet virtuoso Byron Stripling in a tribute concert to jazz icons Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald.  On film Marva worked in Director Charles Randolph Wright’s “Preaching to the Choir”, “Labor Day”, starring Josh Brolin and Tobey Maguire, “Asunder”, starring Blair Underwood and “Virtuosity”, starring Denzel Washington.  She can also be seen on the Emmy nominated Netflix dramatic series, House of Cards, Marvel’s Daredevil, TBS’ Search Party., Blacklist and Madame Secretary. Marva lent her voice and talents to many nonprofit organizations including the Ronald McDonald House, Covenant House and MSK’s Visible Ink. Marva was a 20 year member of The Broadway Inspirational Voices Choir and is a featured vocalist on both of their Christmas CDs, Great Joy, and Great Joy II.

A Memorial service will be held on Tuesday 27, 2022 at 12 Noon at the Good Sheperd Baptist Church, 2223 South Crater Road, Petersburg, Virginia.

 

In memory of Marva, contributions may be made to the following charities: 

https://www.rmh-newyork.org/ https://ny.covenanthouse.org/ https://broadwayinspirationalvoices.org/donate  

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the professional staff- Petersburg Chapel- Joseph M. Johnson & Son Funeral Home, 530 S. Sycamore St., Petersburg, VA 23803 (804) 863-4411.

 

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