Martena "Dale" Marshall Bonawell

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Martena Marshall Bonawell, lovingly known as Dale, on June 24, 2025. Born on April 26, 1944, she was the daughter of the late Saint Elmo Marshall and Anna Mae Marshall.

Dale worked at the T-shirt Factory in Parksley, VA, and after becoming a mother, began working at the Saxis crab houses cleaning soft crabs so she could stay close to her pride and joy—her son, Pete.

She loved music and she loved to dance. Whether she was teaching her first granddaughter how to clean soft crabs or making saltine and butter crackers for her youngest granddaughter, you could be sure there was music playing in the background.

Dale enjoyed spending her days sipping on Dr. Pepper while watching old westerns with her beloved fur baby, Baby Kitty, curled up in her lap. She never met an animal she didn’t love.

She leaves to cherish her memory, her son, Pete Bonawell and his partner, Missy; granddaughters, Jessica Thornes and husband Woody, and Victoria Taylor and husband Dylan; great-grandson, Levi Thornes; aunt, Sue Newhart; nephew, Max Marshall; great-niece, Renee Judge and husband Daniel; cousin, Jamie Linton and partner Mel; along with several other loving family members.

Dale was predeceased by her brother, Maxwell Marshall, his wife, Sandra, and their daughter, Grace West.

The family would like to extend heartfelt thanks to Kasi and Chad Chance for their compassionate care and support during Dale’s journey with dementia.

Funeral services will be conducted from the chapel of the Williams-Parksley Funeral Home on Tuesday, July 1, 2025 at 3:00 p.m., with The Reverend Wyatt Bridges officiating. Private interment will be held at the Ellis Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Williams Funeral Home, P.O. Box 1, Parksley, VA 23421 (www.williamsfuneralhomes.com/payments), to assist the family with funeral expenses.

Memory tributes may be shared with the family at www.williamsfuneralhomes.com.

Arrangements by the Williams-Parksley Funeral Home.

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