Marva (Owens) Moats
July 24, 1922 — October 21, 2016
Marva Owens Moats
DOB July 24, 1922
DOD October 21, 2016
Mom was born on July 24,1922 to Joseph Alma Owens and Alice Elvaretta Harris at her
grandparents home just west of Eagle ID. She attended school in Glenns Ferry ID,
where she was very involved in music.
She married William Abraham Moats, her high school sweetheart, on April 4, 1942 in Jasper FL
after travelling alone across the country by train during World War II. They returned to Glenns Ferry
after the war; where they owned and operated Moats Auto Company together for many years.
They raised their family there. When Dad took a Civil Service job, they left Glenns Ferry and lived
in New Mexico, Colorado and Alaska (just to name a few places). As Mom would say, "We moved
from Valdosta GA to Bethel AK, and a half-dozen places in between". When they retired, they
settled in New Meadows ID. She moved to an assisted living complex in Meridian ID several years
after Dad's passing, closer to more family.
She had her mother's indomitable spirit and personal power; her heart and velvet touch combined
with a back-bone of titantium steel. She was artistic in so many ways - music, painting, floral
arrangement, cake decorating, seamstress extraordinare and raising a family. She was the ultimate
Mom, Grandma, Nana & GG. Loving, strong, giving, kind and intuitive; with just enough humor and
SASS to make life really interesting. She laughed and sang right up to her last day.
She was so easy to love.
She is survived by her children: Marsha Ann Shriver (Jim) of New Meadows ID, Janett Kay Hampton
(Vic) of Boise ID, Virginia Rae Barton (Bruce) of New Plymouth ID, and William HAle Moats (Sandy)
of Emmett ID, her sister Karen Rae Anderson (Doug) of Taylorsville UT, 11 grandchildren, 22
great-grandchildren and 12 great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her adoring, beloved husband Bill, daughter Bonny Jeanne, parents
Joseph & Elva Owens and siblings Seldon Owens, Lyle Owens, Bob Owens and Clarita Lawrence.
Services will be held Saturday November 5th at 10:00 at the LDS Church 2nd Ward, 400 Elo Road,
McCall ID. Viewing for family & friends at 9:30.
Arrangements made by Heikkila Funeral Chapel.
DOB July 24, 1922
DOD October 21, 2016
Mom was born on July 24,1922 to Joseph Alma Owens and Alice Elvaretta Harris at her
grandparents home just west of Eagle ID. She attended school in Glenns Ferry ID,
where she was very involved in music.
She married William Abraham Moats, her high school sweetheart, on April 4, 1942 in Jasper FL
after travelling alone across the country by train during World War II. They returned to Glenns Ferry
after the war; where they owned and operated Moats Auto Company together for many years.
They raised their family there. When Dad took a Civil Service job, they left Glenns Ferry and lived
in New Mexico, Colorado and Alaska (just to name a few places). As Mom would say, "We moved
from Valdosta GA to Bethel AK, and a half-dozen places in between". When they retired, they
settled in New Meadows ID. She moved to an assisted living complex in Meridian ID several years
after Dad's passing, closer to more family.
She had her mother's indomitable spirit and personal power; her heart and velvet touch combined
with a back-bone of titantium steel. She was artistic in so many ways - music, painting, floral
arrangement, cake decorating, seamstress extraordinare and raising a family. She was the ultimate
Mom, Grandma, Nana & GG. Loving, strong, giving, kind and intuitive; with just enough humor and
SASS to make life really interesting. She laughed and sang right up to her last day.
She was so easy to love.
She is survived by her children: Marsha Ann Shriver (Jim) of New Meadows ID, Janett Kay Hampton
(Vic) of Boise ID, Virginia Rae Barton (Bruce) of New Plymouth ID, and William HAle Moats (Sandy)
of Emmett ID, her sister Karen Rae Anderson (Doug) of Taylorsville UT, 11 grandchildren, 22
great-grandchildren and 12 great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her adoring, beloved husband Bill, daughter Bonny Jeanne, parents
Joseph & Elva Owens and siblings Seldon Owens, Lyle Owens, Bob Owens and Clarita Lawrence.
Services will be held Saturday November 5th at 10:00 at the LDS Church 2nd Ward, 400 Elo Road,
McCall ID. Viewing for family & friends at 9:30.
Arrangements made by Heikkila Funeral Chapel.
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