Bernice Marshall

She was born February 2, 1924 in Dallas, Texas to L. L. and Sarah (Wooley) Findley. Soon after, she and her family moved to Chapman Ranch near Corpus Christi where she spent the first five years of her life. They relocated to Yoakum when Bernice was five years old, and finally to Port Lavaca when she was 15. She attended and graduated from Port Lavaca High School in 1942.

She married Alfred Lamar Marshall, Sr., a cadet in the Army Air Corps, in 1944, and they lived in California and Arizona before returning to Port Lavaca. Bernice and Lamar were married for 56 years and had three children, two sons: Alfred Lamar “Butch“ Marshall, Jr. and James Landon “Lanny” Marshall; and a daughter, Cynthia Kay (Marshall) Cuellar.

Over the years, Lamar and Bernice enjoyed traveling to places like New England and Hawaii, but it was no secret that her favorite destination was Las Vegas. She took many memorable trips there with family and friends, where she enjoyed playing slots and blackjack.

Bernice was a kind and beautiful lady who had tremendous love for her family. She was very close to her three sisters, and all having beautiful voices, sang together on many occasions when they were young. She dearly loved her children and their spouses, her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, and her nieces and nephews (many who knew her as “Aunt Bea“). She was a wonderful “Mema” to all of her grandchildren and was loving and caring to all of her family. She instilled in them many wonderful traditions (such as her love of Christmas, and her homemade Christmas candies) which will live on for generations to come. She was greatly treasured by her family and will be dearly missed; they were blessed to have her, and for so many years.

A homemaker in earlier years, Bernice also volunteered for a time as a “Pink Lady” at the local hospital. In the ‘80s and early ‘90s, she worked at the family business, Marshall Lumber and Hardware, Inc., and in retirement she enjoyed meeting with her ladies group for coffee, and playing cards with her bridge and canasta groups each week. She was also a proud member of the first United Methodist Church for 70+ years.

Bernice is preceded in death by her husband, Lamar; children: Butch Marshall and Cynthia Cuellar; her parents; brothers: Jack (Dot) and Weaver Findley; sisters: Mildred Findley, Rosene (“Dick”) Manley and Frances (Elbert) Sanders.

She is survived by her son Lanny Marshall and wife, Linda; daughter-in-law, Darlene Marshall; son-in-law, Stephen Cuellar; grandchildren: Karen (Michael) Hill, Lorraine (Alfonzo) Chavana, John (Kassi) Marshall, Trey Marshall, Lana (Chris) Torres, Kristy (Buford) Robins, Sam Cuellar, and Dan (Lizz) Cuellar; great-grandchildren: Brittany Wappelhorst, Zachary (Tiffany) Hill, Landry Hill, Blayke Phillips, McKenzie Marshall, Quaid Marshall, Logan Marshall, Austin Marshall, Ava Chavana, Lucinda Robins, Corrina Robins, Jacqleen Torres, Demi Torres, Gloria Torres, Otelia Torres, Faustino Torres; great-great-grandchildren: Brileigh Hill, Granger Wappelhorst, Raelynn Hill, Gage Vasquez, Driana Salas; sister-in-law, Janell Marshall, and numerous nieces and nephews.

A family graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. on May 23, 2020 in the Port Lavaca cemetery with cousin, Kenneth Sneed presiding. A memorial service will be held at a later date.

Memorial donations can be made to the First United Methodist Church of Port Lavaca or to the donor’s choice.

Bernice’s family would like to thank Hospice of South Texas for the care and compassion shown to her in her final days.