Marva Bunker Davis

Marva Bunker Davis (June 4, 1920—April 25, 2018) was the sixth of eight children born to Hector and Mina Bunker. She was born and raised in Bunkerville, Nevada, where she enjoyed life on a farm and a large extended family community. She was valedictorian of her high school class and received a scholarship to The University of Nevada, which she attended for a year and a half before she returned home to care for her ailing mother. After her mother passed away she helped care for her father and two younger brothers before moving to Las Vegas to work for the Selective Service. She met Samuel Mason Davis there and during his service in WWII they wrote each other hundreds of letters before they were married in 1946. They moved to Provo, Utah and Fullerton, California for Samuel’s schooling before settling in Las Vegas. Samuel and Marva raised ten children, two of which died in childhood, Paul (age 4) and Donna Kay (age 8). They always considered their family their greatest treasure. Marva believed that every child deserved to be “well fed, well bred, and well led”. In their later years, Samuel and Marva served two LDS missions (Santa Rosa, California and Nauvoo, Illinois Temple) and as President and Matron of the Las Vegas LDS Temple. Serving in the House of the Lord brought them great peace and satisfaction.

Marva was a life-long member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and found a deep joy in the gospel of Jesus Christ and the service of others. She served as Primary Chorister, Young Women’s President and Advisor, and Relief Society President, among other callings. Marva was also an incredible support while her husband was involved in heavy community and church responsibilities. She was greatly respected and was named Nevada Mother of the Year in 1984. She found great pleasure in frugality, listening, sharing what she had with others, creating new game rules that favored children and the underdog (her family calls them “Marva’s Rules”), and caring for her garden, particularly the flowers. She had a quick wit that seemed to only improve with age and her home was a healing place, visitors always left with a good laugh and a kind word. Although her life had difficulties and sorrow, Marva not only saw the good, but believed in it, sought it out, and created it.

After 97 years, Marva has passed on to be with her beloved husband, two children, her parents, siblings, in-laws, and many other loved ones. She leaves behind her brother Owen Bunker (Alice), brother-in-law George Crane, eight remaining children Robert Davis (Gayla), JoLynne Wimer (Lewis), Laura Ditto (Daniel), Daniel Davis (Shauna), David Davis (Karen), William Davis (Marcia), Kathy Callison (Jim), and Shauna Witt (Jim), 40 grandchildren, 30 great grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, and numerous other friends and loved ones. Her family misses her and anxiously looks forward to seeing her again and how the heavenly flowers have improved under her care.

May 4, 2018: Viewing from 6:00-8:00 p.m. May 5, 2018: Viewing from 8:30-9:30 a.m.; Funeral Service at 10:00 a.m. All services occurring at 877 Temple View Drive Las Vegas, Nevada 89110. Internment at Memory Gardens 7251 West Lone Mountain Rd Las Vegas, Nevada 89129.