Marvilene Lea

Marvilene was born on July 27, 1934, in Okemah, OK, to Marvin and Janetta Barber, who both preceded her in death.

She passed away on June 8, 2026, and is preceded in death by her sister, Wanda Coffelt; and brothers, Leroy and Lyndal Barber.

Her remaining siblings are her baby sister, Glennis Joan Conn, of Nampa, ID; sister-in-law, Vina Barber; and brother-in-law, Paul Samuel Lea, both currently of Yuba City, CA.

She was often heard saying how much she missed her closest and dearest of friends Norma Jean (Taylor) Lea.

Norma and her future husband, Paul Lea, witnessed the marriage of Oliver 'Ray' Lea, and Marvilene, while all were still in high school.

Marvilene remained Oliver's faithful wife for 71 years until his death in 2023.

As was common in her generation, shortly after marriage, Oliver joined the army then shipped off to Korea while Marvilene produced the first four within five years; Dennis R. Lea, of Anna, TX, Cheryl A. Ralstin, of Wichita, KS, and Mark E. Lea, of Yuba City, CA.

She has nine grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; six great-great-grandchildren, and a great-great-grandson, Oliver, on the way.

Marvilene always enjoyed seeing her cousins, nieces, and nephews, and spoke of them endlessly.

Marvilene became a resident of California when she was a toddler and soon became a resident of Live Oak, CA, until 1972, when Del Pero-Mondon Meat Company moved the family to Wichita, KS, to open DPM of Kansas.

Marvilene was a homemaker nearly all of her life, although several years she enjoyed working in a health food store and could load a person up with a plethora of vitamins before they even knew they were unwell.

Marvilene was dedicated to crossword puzzles, game shows, books of all kinds and sometimes sat and read encyclopedias for hours, just because they were so interesting.

The many many articles she cut from newspapers were always of a positive nature, and when observed together reflected how in awe she was of God's creation.

For several seasons she was involved with Live Oak girls softball in different capacities.

If shopping were an Olympic event Marvilene would have 'Medaled' in all categories and had fun doing it. For years, she enjoyed many girls fishing dates.

A boyfriend of Marvilene's daughter learned never to sit close to Marvilene if an Oakland A's game was on TV.

Whether it be a good play or bad play, he was going to be punched in the arm. Marvilene would actually keep a scorebook during A's games on TV. She was a fan indeed.

During her later years she discovered watching golf on TV. If an A's game was on, only a pennant run or better would make her turn away from golf.

During her last week on this earth I heard her say, "I wish I learned to play golf" with a look of true sadness on her face.

When Oliver and Marvilene returned to California to assist with the care of their aging parents, they became residents at the Village Green Mobile Home Park in Yuba City, CA.

Marvilene cherished all the friends she made in the park. They became her family and she would not have left them for anything in this world. That is, until her Lord called her home.

A Celebration of Life will be held on July 27, 2026, at the Village Green Mobile Home Park, 1155 Pease Rd, Yuba City, CA, at 11 AM. A light lunch will be provided. Please, do not bring food.