Marva Norton (Lansing)

Obituary

“He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High, Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.”

~Psalm 91:1

Marva Norton passed away Saturday, February 8, 2025, in Lansing, Michigan at the age of 82 years old. She was born on Friday, July 10, 1942, in Bessemer Alabama, the daughter of Marvett and Zola Mae Pines. She was educated in the Bessemer School District, finishing high school at Dunbar High. She then attended Alabama A&M College. 

Along with her siblings, Marva was required to attend church every Sunday at Shady Grove Missionary Baptist Church. Stories have been told that Marva could be seen playing ball “in her slip” after church services were concluded where she dragged her younger brother, Erskine.

Marva left Bessemer and lived in New York City for a while, where she also gave birth to Toni Pines. After some years she relocated to Michigan where she met and married Fred Norton Sr. From that union were born Fred Norton II and Meguel Norton. Marva became a foster parent to Patricia and Porsha. After some years she adopted Patricia, known as Patty Ann.

Marva was a CPA at an architecture firm in Lansing during her early years. During her time with the firm, she started doing work as a CPA for many black small business owners in Lansing. Some of her clients were hair salon owners, which led her to set up an office in one of her client’s shops after she left her job with the city. The more time she spent around the hair industry, it inspired her to open her own salon. She named the shop “Simply Marvelous Beauty Salon.” Her shop was open for many years until it became difficult to do hair because of issues with her hands.

Marva served as the Youth Ministry leader for Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church for 10 plus years. During that time, she implemented many youth programs and planned a lot of youth events. Marva had a love for all children and her approach was that of a loving mother. Even the children’s friends view her as a second mom. She was loved by those that knew her.

Left to cherish Marva memories are four children, Toni Pines, Fred (Kidist) Norton, II of Seattle, Washington, Meguel Norton of Lansing, Michigan, Patty Ann Daniel; Grandchildren, Leila Norton, Isaiah Norton, Meguel Norton, II, McIntyre Fourman, and Jordan Daniel; two sisters, Maggie Thomas of Southfield, Michigan and JoAnn Greene of Cleveland, Ohio; one brother: Herman Coleman of Oakland, California; many nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends, including special friends Louella Love, Jacqueline Wright, and Emma Crawford Johnson.

Marva was preceded in death by her parents, grandmother, Niecie Pines; sisters, Lillian (Arthur) Boykin of Cleveland, Ohio, Mildred (Arnold) Hall, Lansing, Michigan; brothers, Freddie Coleman, Walter Lee (Mary) Coleman, Erskine Coleman; special aunts, Juliet Thomas and Pearlie L. Pines; and special uncle, Zettie Brown.