Mrs. Mabel Marie Bonton

Mabel was born to Hidel and Ophelia Bonton on October 28, 1935. She attended McDonough 35 High School. In 1955, she moved from New Orleans to New York City and worked as a cashier at the famous Apollo Theater in Harlem. She married David Marks on December 27, 1958, and they moved to South Florida, where she worked as a server at the Palmetto Country Club and the Sheraton Four Ambassadors. She later became the owner and operator of Dave’s Deli located at 6005 NW 7th Avenue in Miami, Florida.

Mabel was a devoted Catholic and enjoyed word find, crossword puzzles, casino slots, daytime soaps, shopping BOGO deals at Winn Dixie; cruising, and SNOOZING. She was affectionately known to one as “LB” (Lazy Bones). She was a lover of New Orleans cuisine, culture, and jazz music.

Mabel lived a modest, but rich life. She was most proud of her unwavering faith in Christ, her 35-year interracial marriage, and the honesty, integrity, and work ethic of her three children.

She retired in 1983 and moved home to New Orleans where she survived Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and lived in a trailer while rebuilding her home at 6631 Morrison Road. In 2020, she sold that home and permanently moved back to South Florida.

She is preceded in death by parents, Hidel and Ophelia Bonton; brother Lionel Bonton; and husband David Marks.

She is survived by 1 daughter Michele Marks; 2 sons: David Paul Marks (Alexsis Marks-Green) and Gregory Joseph Marks (Dianna Marks); 9 grandchildren: Tisa Marks, Khiry Marks, Kieshea Grant, Aaliyah Marks, Ashley Marks, Amber Marks, David Blake Daniels, Andrew Marks, and Aaron Marks; 2 great grandchildren: Lia Michele Williams and Cali Colon; niece Tranee (Brian) McDonald; friends and Golden Girls Lina “Neen” Watson and Jerelene “Jerry” Brown; Godson Rev. Charles (Patricia) Mitchell and Goddaughter Keisha Lynn Wilson; friend and “Neighbor” Xiomara Villafane; friends Ingrid Davidson, DeAngelo Daniels, Aida Perez; and a host of other family and friends.

On Wednesday, July 1, a funeral mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. at St. David Catholic Church, 3900 S. University Drive, Davie, FL; followed by inurnment at Fred Hunter’s Hollywood Memorial Gardens, 6301 Taft Street, Hollywood, FL 33024; and a celebration of life reception at Butterflies Event Venue, 2700 S University Dr. Suite 205, Miramar, FL 33025.

The family wishes to extend their sincere thanks to the doctors, nurses, and respiratory therapists who cared for Mabel at Memorial Regional Hospital and VITAS Healthcare Hospice, and the family and friends who sent thoughts and prayers.