Jean May Ewell Markle, 88, went to be with the Lord Sunday, April 19, 2015. She was born March 18, 1927, in Norfolk, VA to the late James T. Ewell, Sr., and Susie Dailey Ewell. She was also predeceased by six siblings, Emma V. Loicano, Col. James T. Ewell, Jr., USA, Ret., Raymond W. Ewell, Vernon L. Ewell, John Wilbur Ewell, Clarence D. Ewell, and a number of nieces and nephews.
Jean always placed others before herself, being a loving and devoted wife to her husband of 40 years, Vernon C. “Red” Markle, caring for him with diligent love and attention while he battles Alzheimer’s. She was very active in several local clubs and organizations including the Red Hatters and AARP luncheons, as well as, hosting tea parties for friends and special events. She enjoyed attending ship reunions for the Submarines USS Diablo, USS Simon Bolivar and USS Trumpetfish with her husband Red. Over the years she developed great friendships as she got to know Red’s shipmates and their wives. Her hospitable nature led her to organize various ladies’ teas, luncheons, and large family dinners. She was passionate about including everyone’s favorite dish for a gathering, ensuring the perfect outfit was lovingly sewn for an event, and traveling the country with Red to visit loved ones and old friends. Jean was a lifetime member of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Norfolk, VA.
Left to cherish her memory is her loving husband, Vernon “Red” Markle; sons, Donald G. Newsome wife, Sharon of Chesapeake, James L. Newsome of Virginia Beach, and John H. Newsome wife, Glenda of Barnhart, MO; daughters, Emma N. Small of Norfolk, Kimberly S. Knight of Virginia Beach, Victoria Lynn Markle of Colonial Beach; and sons by marriage, Kenneth Smith wife, Betty, Brian Markle, and Troy Markle; fourteen grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; brother, Lt. Col. Frederick S. Ewell, USAF, Ret. wife, Barbara of Norfolk; as well as a number of nieces, nephews, and friends. Red asks, “Please remember my Jeannie May as I do, a loving and caring wife, wonderful mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and everyone’s best friend.”
A service to celebrate her life will be held Thursday, April 23, 2015, at 1:00 pm, at Altmeyer Funeral Home, 5792 Greenwich Rd., Virginia Beach, VA 23462, with burial to follow in Forest Lawn Cemetery. The family will receive friends Wednesday evening from 6 – 8:00 pm. Please visit www.Altmeyer.com to leave a note to the family.
Dear Mom
We love you
for giving us life
for every pace of the floor,
every rock of a chair, every lullaby sung
Mom, we love you
for every meal lovingly prepared
for every outfit crafted by your hand
for every time you sacrificed your needs while providing for ours
Mom, we thank you
for marching down to the school to defend our rights
for being our room mother
for parties planned, picnics prepared, and road trips driven
Mom, we honor you
for keeping our family together through tough times
for dressing us up and taking us to church
for bible school and grape soda
for instilling integrity and compassion in our hearts, and for teaching us right from wrong
Mom, we are grateful
for late night worry and concern for our safety
for the times you forgave us when we disappointed you
for your nurture and prayers
Mom, we cherish you
for accepting us as individuals and supporting us through things you didn’t agree with, or understand
for loving us unconditionally
for making each of us feel the most important and never picking sides
The desire of your young heart was to become a wonderful mother, a cherished wife, and a devoted friend,
you fulfilled your dreams with excellence,
rest now sweet girl, enjoy your reward, God’s promises are yours
Dear mom, we love you so very much…
Dear Uncle Bud, Vicky and all of Aunt Jeans family;
Please know how much Aunt Jean was loved. She was truly a lady with class and style. For the few years she and Uncle Bud lived in Arizona we had many gatherings in their home and AJ as we called her out here was always a gracious hostess and went out of her way to cater to us. We will miss her very much.
I pray all of you can find comfort as you reflect upon all of the special times she shared with you.
I love you very much Uncle Bud.
I love you very much Vicky.
God Bless Aunt Jean
God Bless her family.
Love, Donna niece in Arizona
Don, so sorry to hear of your loss. These are hard times to get through for sure but when things settle down and you can relax and think back on everything your mom has done for you and the good times you had with her,it’ll bring a smile to your face and she’ll be looking down and smiling with you and she’ll know what a great son you are to her. Keep the memories alive and she’ll be in your heart forever.
JEAN WAS ONE OF THE POSITIVE FEMALE ROLE MODELS IN MY LIFE. AS A YOUNG WOMAN, JEAN WELCOMED ME INTO HER FAMILY AND TREATED ME MORE LIKE A DAUGHTER THAN A DAUGHTER IN LAW. SHE WAS ALWAYS LOVING AND KIND AND THE FIRST PERSON TO OFFER A HAND OR ADVICE WHEN NEEDED. I CAME FROM A SMALL FAMILY AND JEAN TAUGHT ME HOW TO FIT INTO A LARGE FAMILY. WHEN MY DAUGHTER, AMY, WAS BORN, JEAN WAS THE ONE THAT TOOK ME TO THE HOSPITAL AND COACHED ME THROUGH MY LABOR. ALTHOUGH WE BECAME ESTRANGED FOR A PERIOD OF TIME IT WAS SO WONDERFUL TO BECOME “FAMILY” AGAIN. I KNOW THAT HEAVEN HAS A NEW ANGEL TO KEEP ON EYE ON US. I LOVE YOU JEAN. REST IN PEACE.
Our condolence to Jean Markle’s husband Red and all her family. We were honored to have attended many U.S.S. Diablo SS479 reunions with her. Jean was a wonderful caring person.Always ready to step in and help. Jean will be missed very much, but she will always be in our thought and prayers..Our prayers are with her family.
Red and Family,
Please accept my deepest sympathy,at the loss of your Jeannie. She and you will always be in my prayers. I will always remember her and the happy times we shared at the Diablo reunions.
Her work here on Earth is done, and she can now rest high on the mountain. Stay strong for one another, and celebrate her life.
I love you Red.
Bill Pring
RIP AJ We will miss you very much.
Sorry for your loss. May you find comfort in knowing that our dead loved ones can live again. God promises that “there will be a resurrection of the righteous and the unrighteous”. A real hope of reuniting with our loved one in the soon to be restored early paradise.
Sorry very sorry for you and your dad’s lost.Love you…
Vicki, My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family ! Love ,debbie thayer
Vicky and Markle family so sorry for your loss in my prayers and thoughts all my love always!
Victoria. Hugs to you and your family. It’s not easy to let go of someone dear to you. Your sarrow is, indeed, hurtful. But the memory of her, I’m sure, will never die. Prayers for you all. RIP, Jean. I wish I had known you. I know Vickie loves you very much.
we will miss you we love you.and all the family.we are so glad to have you in our life you were the best mother