Marva Martin O'Kelley

Marva Cooper Martin O'Kelley, 77, passed away peacefully following a brief illness on Wednesday, May 1, 2019, at the Cullman, AL, home of her eldest daughter, Marvera Goymer. Ms. O'Kelley was born February 24, 1942, in Kansas City, MO. She was the daughter of William Lee Martin, Jr. and Vera Jones Edwards Martin. Her mother was working in Kansas City during World War II while her father was stationed in the Pacific Theater in the US Navy. In addition to her parents, Ms. O'Kelley was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Saxon O'Kelley, originally from Grantville, GA, and an infant sister, Era Daniel Martin. Ms. O'Kelley was a 1960 graduate of Hogansville High School where she was a majorette and STAR Student. She attended Brenau University, Auburn University where she performed in the Auburn Players theater group, and graduated from Georgia State University with a journalism degree. She was employed by Scientific Atlanta, Auburn University in the School of Veterinary Medicine, Continuing Education Program, and recently retired from The Birmingham News. Ms. O'Kelley is survived by her daughters, Marvera Goymer of Cullman; Maypetite Segree of Port St. Joe, FL; and Saragrace Rockett (Matt) of Birmingham, AL; a brother, William L. Martin, III (Sara) of Douglasville, GA; grandchildren, Ian, Hannah and David Goymer of Cullman; Trevor Wynn of Perry, FL, and Maegen Wynn of Tallahassee , FL; Saxon and Lawson Rockett of Birmingham; a great grandson, nephew, niece, and cousins. Ms. O'Kelley enjoyed spending time with family and friends and reading any book she could get her hands on. A memorial service will be held at the Chapel of Claude A. McKibben & Sons Funeral Home in Hogansville on Saturday, May 18, 2019, at 3 p.m. The family will receive visitors at the funeral home from 2 p.m. until 3 p.m. Claude A. McKibben and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.