Bonnie Elizabeth Powell Markham

Bonnie Elizabeth Powell Markham, 78, of Lynchburg, Va., died Friday, September 17, 2021.

Born Tuesday, June 22, 1943 in Burkeville, Va., Bonnie was a daughter of the late Robert Southall Powell and the late Laura Turner Powell Williamson

Bonnie was a proud woman. She loved her family and always took care of them. She didn’t mind telling you what she thought on any subject and didn’t care if it was what you wanted to hear or not. She always said what she believed was true and the best. She was tough as nails and a hard worker. She believed in God and loved going to church. She loved to sit on her porch and watch the birds in her yard and would yell at the squirrels for taking the bird’s food, but she never chased them away. She was a high-strung and nervous type of person, but ask her kids, she would knock you out if you didn’t act right, and to be so tiny and petite she packed a punch. She loved to yard sale, especially with her daughter, Carol. They spent many weekends yard selling together. If you wanted or needed something, no matter how specific you would be, they would get it at a great price. She always taught us to take responsibility for our actions and let us know that there were always consequences (good or bad). If she knew we were messing up she would always let us know but she also let us “learn the hard way” then tell you, “You got yourself in it, now fix it and get yourself out of it.” But she would always open her door and welcome you in, she would never turn you away.

Bonnie is survived by two daughters, Sandra Griffith, of Madison Heights, and Carol Moneymaker of Lynchburg; four grandchildren, Bryan Robertson of Lynchburg, Laura Moneymaker of Amherst, Jennifer Griffith of Lynchburg who was Bonnie’s caregiver, and Jason Griffith of Madison Heights; eight great-grandchildren: Elizabeth Lee, Jacob Thornton, Tyler Hammock, Madison Griffith, Sarah Blankenship, Lucy Blankenship, Isaac Blankenship, and Anna O’Dell; nephew William “Bill” Brooks of Maryland; niece Regina Hight Mason of Lynchburg; and step-father Jimmy Williamson.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a son, Edward Jackson Robertson; a grandson, James Lee Griffith, Jr.; two brothers, Robert “Bobby” Powell, Jr. and William “Billy” Powell; and two sisters, Jean Brooks and Jackie Hight.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, September 23, 2021 at Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Lynchburg. A celebration of Bonnie’s life will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, September 24, 2021 at Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Lynchburg with Pastor Kirk Farmer officiating.  Interment will follow in Fort Hill Memorial Park.

A special thanks to Jennifer Griffith for putting your life on hold to step up and do such a remarkable job caring for her grandmother for over two years. She really did an outstanding job and improved Grandma’s life far beyond what anyone thought possible. Grandma loved you so much, Jennifer. Thank you! Also, a thanks is in order to Centra Hospice.

Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Lynchburg, is assisting the family.