Marvin Tyrone Williams was walking into Taco Bell for his first day of work when he caught the attention of his co-worker, Valerie Palmore.
She was on her way out the door after finishing her morning shift, and Marvin was reporting for duty for the afternoon shift. He was just her type: tall and handsome with a good physique and tattoos.
Valerie asked her manager to give Marvin her number. Eventually, he called, and their first date was at IHOP in Center City. They got to know each other and learned that they were 10 years apart in age—Marvin was younger and Valerie was older. But Marvin was mature, and they enjoyed each other’s company.
Before long, they were a couple, and within a year, they had a daughter, Makayla, in 2016. She and Marvin share a birthday, December 6.
Marvin and Valerie
Makayla became the center of Marvin’s world. But now, his presence is represented by a life-sized cutout that stands in their home. Marvin was shot on Feb. 18, 2022 at 54th and Vine in West Philadelphia and died Feb. 28, 2022. He was 28 years old.
A man was arrested in connection with Marvin’s murder a short time later.
“Marvin was very caring and loving,” Valerie said. “If he loved you, there wasn’t anything he wouldn’t do for you.”
Marvin was born Dec. 6, 1993 in Philadelphia and had a twin sister, Mercedes Williams. He was a graduate of Roberts Vaux High School, and continued his education at All-State Career School. He obtained his commercial driver’s license in 2018, and drove trucks in addition to working several other jobs.
He was looking into going to school to become a train conductor with the goal of working for SEPTA or Amtrak. More than anything else, he made sure to provide for his daughter.
One of Valerie’s most cherished memories was when Marvin held Makayla for the first time in the hospital.
“He was so scared. He was so nervous,” Valerie said. “It took him a few hours to muster up the courage to hold her because he was afraid he was going to hurt her. Finally he said, ‘I think I’m ready.’”
A nurse was in the room at the time, so she took Makayla out of her bassinet and put her in Marvin’s arms.
Marvin and Makayla
“He stared at her and smiled for so long,” Valerie said. “He was really, really happy.”
Marvin was involved in all aspects of his daughter’s care. He always made sure she had shoes that fit and plenty of toys to play with, and he also let her put polish on his nails and makeup on his face.
Another favorite memory for Valerie was watching Marvin experience the Jersey shore for the first time. Despite growing up in Philly, he had never been there, so Valerie took him to Atlantic City in 2016.
“He ran into the water and rolled around in the sand for hours,” Valerie said.
Marvin loved the Philadelphia sports teams and he played pickup games of basketball wherever he could.
Valerie misses Marvin walking through the door and saying, “Hey Stink, what’s going on?” She misses their phone calls. She even misses how he annoyed her.
Marvin’s death has caused a void in their daughter’s life as well. She looks at photos and videos of him on her iPad, and she talks to the cutout that stands in their home.
“I let her know that Daddy is in heaven,” Valerie said. “He’s her angel now, and she can talk to him whenever she needs to. He’s always in her heart.”
In addition to Makayla, Marvin is also survived by a son, Moses.
Resources are available for people and communities that have endured gun violence in Philadelphia. Click here for more information.
Makayla holding a picture of Marvin
