Marvella Shavings

Marvella Ann Shavings, 53, died peacefully Aug. 11, 2010, in Anchorage. A viewing will be held at 1 p.m. Friday at First Covenant Church, followed by a service and potluck. Pastor Bill Jones will officiate. Ms. Shavings was born Oct. 21, 1956, in Nash Harbor on Nunivak Island to parents Edward and Esther Shavings. She attended and graduated from Mekoryuk BIA School, Sheldon Jackson College and Career Academy. Ms. Shavings' career included years of working for her dad's business, Nunivak Island Guide Service, as a cook. She also was employed as a health aide and certified medical assistant.

She had a great sense of humor, enjoyed reading books, knitting, bingo, singing gospel music and playing the keyboard, berry picking for her mother and clam digging. Her favorite expressions were "you turkey" and "cheese and crackers!" Marvella tremendously believed in and worshiped God, prayed for others and asked for prayers from others. She really enjoyed candy, especially Look! candy bars, peanut brittle, toffee and any frozen chocolate. Marvella was extremely generous to family and friends; she will be missed by all.

Marvella is survived by her parents Ed and Esther Shavings; siblings, Jacob, Ed Jr. and wife Xenia, Lincoln Shavings and his wife of Mekoryuk, and Louise Shavings of Anchorage; her children, Gwendolyn Jones of Homer, Beatrice Olrun-Kiokun and Melanie Shavings of Mekoryuk, Chad Shavings of Anchorage and Michael Sorden of Alabama; grandsons, McKinley and Landon; uncles, Henry Shavings and Tom Amos; aunts, Marian Paulson and Verna Reynolds; nieces, Kendra, Charlee, Danielle, Molly, Sonni, Alma, Tabitha, Shanelle and Chenovia; great-niece, Ana; nephews, Brady, Isaiah, Carl, Nathaniel, T.J., Lewis and Aristotle; and numerous cousins.

She was preceded in death by her maternal and paternal grandparents, sisters Alma Rose and Phyllis Ruth; and other family members, including Ed Jr. III.

Pallbearers are Jacob Chuck, Ed Jr., Lincoln, Chad, Michael and Isaiah. Honorary pallbearers are dad Edward and Uncle Tom Amos.