Marianna Lawson Marquis

Marianna Lawson Marquis, 83, beloved mother, grandmother, sister, and aunt passed away peacefully from this world on May 13th, 2025. 

Born in Montgomery, West Virginia, she was the daughter of the late Wylce Leon Lawson and Lala Virginia Lawson.

She was a graduate of East Bank High School in Kanawha County, West Virginia. After graduating, she completed a theatrical course at Leland Powers College in Boston, Massachusetts. She was a talented actress who performed in skits, plays, community theater, and was featured in radio and television commercials.

She loved to travel extensively and planned many trips for her family to enjoy. She was an avid bird watcher who was very enthusiastic about observing and identifying birds all around the country.

Marianna truly viewed life through simple pleasures whether it was collecting miniatures, reading a good book, making family photo albums, calendars and address books, taking a walk in nature, or talking with family and friends on the phone. But her greatest joy in life was being with her loving family with whom she shared an exceptional bond.

She loved to laugh and made others laugh with her antics. She was a special person who made everyone feel loved and appreciated. She was also known as a natural nurturer, patting and loving on others even when she herself was not feeling well.

Marianna is survived by her children: William Leon Sampson and his wife Traci, Lala Joanna Chappelle; her grandchildren: Fallon Brooke Wright and her husband Craig, Sawyer Josef Chappelle and his wife Kristina, Tyler Jay Sampson; her great grandchildren: Douglas Watkins Wright, Madeline Rose Wright, Maximilian Daniel Chappelle; her siblings: Nellie Jo Colb and Les, Kay Frances Gilbert and her husband Butch, Lolanda Leigh Cooper; and many loving nieces, nephews and friends.

The family would like to express their gratitude to the staff at the Bedford County Nursing Home as well as the Centra Hospice Team in Bedford for their loving and compassionate care of Marianna.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you please consider a donation to The Salvation Army in honor of Marianna.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday May 24, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. at Tharp Funeral Home, Bedford.

Tharp Funeral Home, Bedford is assisting the family.