Marvella Marie George Graham-Kempner

Marvella Marie Graham-Kempner passed away on the evening of Sunday, July 1st, after battling cancer for more than a decade. She was born as Marvella Marie George on March 1, 1931, in Enid, OK. Her working career was as varied as her interests, and included work as a home health aid, waitress, DJ, cemetery worker, sheriff reservist, and finally as an intake worker for Stanislaus County. Along with her husband, Earl Graham, she provided for at least 804 foster children across varied periods of time between 1957 and 1984. She was a long-time member of the church of LDS of Modesto, and received the very best care over her final year from the loving staff at Hylond Convalescent Home (also in Modesto). Marvella is survived by her son, Duane Graham of Modesto; and step-children, Emmanuel and Oriel Kempner of Modesto, Liran Kempner and Orit Shilian of New York, NY. She also leaves 11 grandchildren; Michael and Brent Wilderman of San Diego, Christine, Matthew and Shianne Valenzuela, Helen Castillo and Floyd Telford all of El Centro, Jeremy Graham of Texas, Morgan and Jennifer Graham of Modesto, and Richard Miller. Her great-grandchildren include Jessica and Stephen Graham of Texas. Visitation will be held at Lakewood Funeral Home (Riverside) on Thursday, July 5 from 4:00 – 7:00pm. Graveside Service will be held at Lakewood Memorial Park (Hyland Garden) on Friday, July 6 at 1:30pm.