Marva Whitney: 'I am so thankful'

The Kansas City, Kansas, native and former featured soloist in the James Brown Revue -- Soul Sister No. 1 -- suffered a stroke on Dec. 28 while performing at a music festival in Australia. She was hospitalized for three days. On Jan. 3, she returned home, where she continues to recover. This week she posted an on-line letter to her fans  (thanks to Bill B. for the link):

"To the fans, friends and angels  -- yes angels, master give you angels and they work through people. People don't have to be nice to you; I am so thankful I could feel angels. Yes, I could feel your love, and I know it was the prayers of the righteous that availeth much, seen and unseen. How else could you explain me being back on my feet in two days? You all were sending good thoughts to me. With all my heart I thank you.

All of the nurses at Geelong Hospital were sweet as honey. Love conquers all!

I cry being so thankful for all of everyone's love, through thoughts, flowers, cards and prayer. I could feel it! Even James Brown was singing "I feel good" to me. Yes, I am one who believes we become perfect in our shortcomings after death.

I would like to thank my old comrades for giving me strength through these testing days. Pee Wee Ellis, Fred Wesley, Clyde Stubblefield, Jab'o Starks (whom I knew from the Bobby "Blue: Bland days), my dear sisters Martha High and Vicki Anderson-Byrd and family and Sweet Charles Sherrell.

I also thank those many other artists who sent me their thoughts, prayers and blessings. Sharon Jones and the Daptone Family, Bobbi Humphrey, Carleen Anderson, Lady Miss Kier, Deep Street Soul, The Bamboos and so many more ... and of course my many, many friends and fans. I love you all so much. My admiration goes to my friend Ryo Nakata and Osaka Monaurail and my new Australian band The Transatlantics, who played so fine on our tour. They have done their homework, and I promise them and our agent Jamie that I am ready and willing to continue where we left off.

Very special thanks to the beautiful people of Melbourne, Australia, especially Shirley Davis and her friend Chantal Mein, who were there for me when I needed the most help. They are angels who shared their homes with us, accommodated me and cared for me and my manager and "stepson" DJ Pari (Soulpower), who was there for me the entire time and did a fantastic job and brought me back home. I will never forget. I love you all! Let me tell you, master has not told me to stop! We'll be back, and I sure wish my old comrades from the James Brown days would come back and do what we should be doing, one more time, for the few of us that are left. If there is one thing that I have learned from this it is that there is at least appreciation and much love that we have received from all over the world.

I will quiet down and reminisce now about the love I have received. Thank you many, many, times over. See you just as we can sometime this year. I feel good. -- Marva Whitney

Comments

[Bill]

One of Kansas City's musical treasures, Marva Whitney's profile in KC should be bigger for someone who has done so much for the local music scene and then taken her talent beyond the confines of her hometown. I hope she's back onstage soon. Love ya, Marva.