Malvern Decatur Grubbs, Jr.

Malvern D. Grubbs, Jr., 89, passed away September 5, 2024, in Indianapolis, Indiana. He was the second of five children born to the late Mr. Malvern D. Grubbs, Sr. and Mrs. Arene Grubbs on November 9, 1934. He was preceded in death by his younger brother, Ivan Grubbs, and grandson, Alan Roach.

He attended Elementary School #87 and Crispus Attucks High School in Indianapolis, Indiana. He enlisted in the United States Air Force after graduation where he was trained as an electronic technician. While stationed at Brookfield Airforce base in Ohio, he met the love of his life, Margaret (Peggy) Lee, a nursing student from Farrell, Pennsylvania. When Peggy graduated from nursing school, they married. To their union, four children were born and eight grandchildren.

As a child, Malvern was a member of Northside New Era Church where he was baptized. After meeting Rev. Eugene Smith, he developed a hunger to delve deeper into God’s word. He and Reverend Smith took classes through Baptist Mid Missions under the direction of Reverend Wooster. Malvern and Reverend Smith heard of a need to help two missionaries at a fellowship on the northwest side. They, along with their families, served side-by-side when Reverend Marshall Watson was called to Pastor. The fellowship grew and was relocated and renamed to Blessed Hope Baptist Church where Malvern was active with the youth. He was a deacon, a beloved thought provoking and stimulating Sunday School and Bible study teacher who loved a scriptural debate. He made Sunday School, Bible study and Vacation Bible School fun, interactive and relatable. He was also a youth minister who encouraged others to have a personal relationship with Christ. 

Later in life, Malvern attended Zion Hope Baptist Church where he continued to teach the word and was introduced to the deaf ministry. This inspired him to graduate from Vincennes University with a degree in American Sign Language. He signed for the deaf at Zion Hope Baptist Church, East 91st Street Christian Church, St. Luke Methodist Church and volunteered at the Deaf School. 

He was proud to call Eastern Star Church his home for the past twenty plus years where he loved hearing the word and fellowshipping with the saints.

Malvern loved his family. He was affectionally called PaPa by his grandchildren whom he was very proud of and instrumental in their lives. On any given day, you might see him on a soccer or football field, basketball court or in the classroom for Grandparent’s Day or rescuing a grandchild from timeout. It was not uncommon for others to call him grandpa because he spent so much time at the kids’ games and at extra-curricular activities such as science fair projects, and making costumes and props for school and church plays.

His favorite pastime was playing golf with friends. His favorite course was Douglas Golf Course. He was there so much they gave him a job putting out the golf carts Monday through Saturday. 

Malvern lit up a room when he entered and never met a stranger. He was the life of the party. He was kind to everyone, cheered people when they were down, gave great counsel, and shared and demonstrated the word of God. We miss him already!

Malvern’s career spanned more than 41 years of Government service in the United States Air Force, United States Postal Service, Naval Avionics, and the Federal Aviation Administration where he retired in 1995 after 25 years. 

Malvern leaves to cherish his memory his bride of 68 years, Margaret L. Grubbs; his children, Korene Hogan (Johnny), Wayne Grubbs (Anna), Karen Grubbs, and Kelly French (Jeffrey); granddaughter, Jayla Ruth (Jared); grandsons; Larry Flake (Sallie), Evan Grubbs, Dimitri French, Tyler Grubbs, Jeffrey French and Jarren French; great granddaughters, Genesis Watson and Shelby Flake; siblings; Dolores Green (John), Rose Marie Crabtree (Donald), and Marcia Bryant; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

A visitation will be held on Thursday, September 12, 2024, from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Flanner Buchanan-Oaklawn Memorial Gardens (Conner Suite), 9700 Allisonville Road, Indianapolis, Indiana 46250. A Celebration of Life service will be held on Friday, September 13, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. with viewing from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service at Eastern Star Church, 8850 E. 106th Street, Fishers, Indiana 46037. Malvern will be laid to rest at Oaklawn Memorial Gardens with military honors.

Memorial contributions may be made in honor of Malvern D. Grubbs, Jr. to the ROCK Center for Youth and Children (ROCCYC), 5817 E. 32nd Street, Indianapolis, Indiana 46218 or online at https://giving.ncsservices.org/App/Giving/easternstarchurch

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at 

https://www.flannerbuchanan.com/obituaries/malvern-grubbs-jr