Mava Jean “Kid” Graves, 63, of Port Charlotte, FL formerly of Clear Lake, IA, passed away Wednesday, June 11, 2014 in her home after a short, courageous, battle with cancer, with her loving husband by her side.
A celebration of life will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, July 5, 2014 at Music Man Square, 308 S Pennsylvania, Mason City, Iowa. The family is requesting that family and friends share stories and memories. Written statements can be made and read at the service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Cultural Center of Charlotte County, 2280 Aaron St, Port Charlotte, FL 33952. Visit online at www.icscremationandfunerals.org to sign the memory book and extend condolences to the family.
Mava was born January 25, 1951 in Osage, IA to Robert and Louise (Stromley) McPhail. She grew up in Mason City and attended Mason City Schools. On March 7, 1976, she married Mark Graves in Clear Lake, IA. Together they raised two daughters, Angela Marie and Janell Mava. Mark and Mava lived in the Clear Lake area most of their life and Port Charlotte, FL for the last 9 years. In the early years Mava worked at Unisys in Clear Lake and later helped run the family businesses, Leisure Wash & Florida Sun and Roma Flower and Garden. While in Florida, Mava began volunteering at the Cultural Center of Charlotte County. She made many friends there and always looked forward to volunteering or visiting there. Every visitor had to be taken to the Cultural Center for a tour. Mava will be forever remembered for her beautiful smile, bubbly personality and inviting eyes. Anyone who met Mava instantly became a friend.
Mava loved jewelry, purses, shoes and cars especially her 1967 Pontiac GTO and the corvettes she used to drive while listening to “Shakin” by Eddie Money. She loved to dance and have a good time. She will be missed dearly by all her family and many friends.
Mava is survived by the love of her life for 38 yrs, Mark Graves and their precious puppy Marki (girl); daughters Angie (Andy Ferguson) McPhail-Grey and Janell (Keith) Arndt; parents Robert and Louise McPhail; brother Carmon (Carol) McPhail; sisters Connee (Steve) Mandt, Karen (Robert) Bahl, Kathryn (Dennis) Hansen; grandchildren Dillon and Cacharel Schade, Drake Downs, Brittney and Brecken Arndt; one great-grandchild Orion Schade; numerous brother & sister-in-laws and numerous nieces and nephews.
Mava was preceded I death by her mother-in-law Alice Graves and Vernita Nichols, sister Patricia McPhail, brothers-in-law Ronald and Jon Graves, niece Rhondi Graves and special friends Keith and Jacqueline Paulson and Larry and Marion Luker.
Mava may be kindly remembered at icscremationandfunerals.org and can be found on Facebook at facebook.com/icscremationandfunerals
