Drysdales is blessed with many dedicated employees. But you would be hard-pressed to find someone with a better work ethic than Marva Crow, who could have instead drawn a Social Security check when she was first hired at Drysdales 17 years ago.
Marva, 83, enters completed orders into Drysdales’ computer system. She also orders Wrangler and Rockies jeans for Drysdales’ catalog center when they are out of stock. And she directs factory-shipped orders for Schaefer Outfitters, Carhartt, and American West, etc.
Outside of Drysdales, Marva Crow also does volunteer work for veterans' groups.
Marva also has served as a longtime volunteer at American Legion Auxiliary Mohawk Post 308 in Tulsa. She helps organize and decorate the post’s Christmas and Easter parties. She works in the kitchen during the Auxiliary’s monthly Steak Night fund-raisers. She’ll work the door every Friday night during the post’s country-and-western dances.
Marva said someone once got mad at her for being always involved in Auxiliary events.
“She thought I was scoring brownie points,” she explained. “But if I see something that needs doing, I do it. I don’t wait around for someone else to do it.”
Marva said she became involved with veterans’ causes because her now-deceased husband, an Oklahoma native, served in the Army during World War II.
In addition, Marva assists with the monthly Bingo Night at the Claremore Veterans Home in Claremore, Okla. She donates salvaged computer hardware to the the American Legion Children’s Home in Ponca City, Okla., the last American Legion-sponsored children’s home in the United States.
Marva attributes some of her work ethic to growing up on a farm near Waterloo, Iowa. She had only one older brother, so she had to help with chores. “I thought it was hard work at the time, but it wasn’t,” she says.
And Marva has no plans to retire. If she did, she says she wouldn’t like it.
“I had to stay home eight weeks one time when I broke my hip,” she said. “It about drove me crazy.
“To me, if I enjoy it, it’s not work. And I love this job.”
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
Wow! That’s my sister you are talking about. She’s got one up on me. I’m ONLY 79 and still working in an office in Waterloo, IA. It must be in the genes. Our parents were workers!
Double wow–Marva and Norma are my aunts–aren’t they incredible? I hope I have inherited the work ethic and kick-butt character! But maybe I have–I’m 52, and just starting to graduate school….I love the midwestern work ethic.
Norma is right WOW! thats my sister you are talking about.
I feel a little put down though, I am only 67 retired Navy and
retired from another civilian company but have no intentions
to be working at 79 or 83 guess I am just lazy. Love them
both.
I know Marva thru her sister, Norma, who is my best friend. Marva is a very nice person. She still drives from Tulsa to Waterloo Iowa by herself, and it’s an 8 or 9 hour drive. I also have met Darrell several times, and I’ve met their sisters, Joyce and LaVonne. Quite a nice family, and I know they are not afraid of work. I’m 65 and I don’t have any immediate plans to retire.
Marva – You are awesome!! How blessed you are!! Nice article…..