Marvel E. Wax

Marvel E. Wax

September 3, 1924 – December 10, 2018

Marvel Eilene Wax departed for her home in heaven on December 10. 2018. She was born to James Robert and Mildred Floye Russell on September 3, 1924 in Gove, KS and spent her first five years of childhood in Pueblo, CO and Carthage, MO. During the early 1930’s depression she and her parents moved to her grandparent’s, Reyno and Bertha Hardin, farm in Blackwell, OK. She cherished those years and had many stories to share, especially about her pet pig Pete. When she was 13, her father developed cancer and they moved to Tempe, AZ. He passed away six months later.

She attended Bob Jones College in Cleveland, TN, and received her BA in teaching from Arizona State Teachers College in Tempe. There she met and married the love of her life, Joseph Edward Wax. She had three children while in Tempe: John, James, and Deborah. World War II drafted her husband and later sent him to Vancouver, WA where Marvel got her first teaching job. The next move was to Camp Darby in Livorno, Italy where she taught high school for American military dependents. Joe’s final military move was to Ft. Bliss, in El Paso, TX. There Marvel was one of the teachers who started Bel Air High School in 1957, where she taught Home Economics for 28 years. Marvel and Joe retired in 1985. Early retirement included traveling with “Experiencing God” teams to Europe, Alaska, Mexico, New Mexico and Texas. During these experiences, they shared with music and testimony how God had blessed their lives. Overall, during their marriage, they visited all 50 states.

Marvel and Joe were active members of Ysleta Baptist Church and Scotsdale Baptist Church where Marvel served many years as founder and teacher of the Ladies Friendship Class, director of Women’s Missionary Union, and choir member. Marvel had a heart for friendliness, caring for others, teaching, and hospitality, often opening her home for church and community activities.

Marvel is survived by her son James, retired Navy Lt. Commander, his wife Melinda, retired Navy RN; her daughter, Deborah Lowther, retired professor; three grandchildren, Gayleen Rabakukk, James and Jason Wax and three great grandchildren, Anna and Fiona Langthorn and Mason Wax. Marvel is preceded in death by her husband Joe, son John, and grandchildren Kenneth and Tina Marvelle Lowther.

Marvel was dearly loved by all and blessed the lives of family, friends, and students. As Marvel enters into Heaven, our Lord and Savior will greet her with “Welcome home thou good and faithful servant.”