Bessie (Betty) May Marquiss
Born on January 23, 1933 in Smithburg, MarylandPassed away June 26, 2026 in Melbourne, Florida
Bessie (Betty) May Marquiss went home to be with Jesus, her Lord and Savior, on June
26, 2026, at age 93. She passed peacefully at home with her loving family by her side.
Betty was born the sixth of eight children in Chewsville, Maryland, on January 23, 1933,
to Florence and Floyd Gearhart. She grew up in nearby Smithsburg until her teenage
years. She definitely did not enjoy helping maintain the 5-acre black raspberries her
family raised for extra income, and was no doubt happy when her family moved to town,
nearby Hagerstown, where she graduated from high school.
She worked in a tomato cannery and then at AT&T as a switchboard operator. She met
Donald Marquiss in 1952 while both were on a blind date with another, exchanging
pleasantries in French with Don. Their attraction blossomed, and they married on
October 10, 1953. A year later, they welcomed their first son, Donald Lynn Jr. Don had
an opportunity on the new, rapidly developing space coast in Florida, so Betty, Don, and
Donny moved to Florida in 1956. They moved into their forever home at 919 Glenmore
Circle in Melbourne, where Betty and Don raised a large and happy family, along with
various dogs and cats. Betty enjoyed piling her kids into the station wagon and
spending happy hours at the beach or the nearby lakes, playing cards or board games,
and in her later years, very competitive games of Scrabble with Don.
Sometimes, to maintain the family sanity, the whole family would drive together around
town during the many rain storms or to simply buy a gallon of milk at the drive-thru milk
store, with the kids fighting over the one cent left over from the one dollar purchase.
She would pitch softball to her boys in the front yard, but the stray dog she had
previously adopted on a walk would only bring the ball back to her, no matter how the
boys chased the dog. Betty was also a den mother and loved to craft latch-hook rugs.
Out of necessity, Betty was an efficient and rapid cook, able to miraculously whip
together nutritious breakfasts and dinners, pack lunches, and bake legendary large
cookies that never lasted long in the cookie jar. Betty loved music, and told Don if he
bought a piano she would find a place to put it in their initial small apartment in Eau
Gallie. Don obliged his young wife; she found a spot, and always enjoyed playing piano
or listening to her children and grandchildren as they played. In her later years, Betty
enjoyed visiting on her front porch and would spend hours listening and sharing life
stories. She especially enjoyed talking about God and the Bible.
One of her favorite life verses was Micah 6:8, “He has shown you O man what is good;
and what does the Lord require of you, but to do justly, to love mercy and to walk
humbly with your God.” Betty was a member of the Church of the Brethren growing up.
In Melbourne, she attended several churches including the local Lutheran Church,
Church of Christ, Tabernacle and Lighthouse.
Betty was preceded in death by her son Donny and her husband Don. Betty is survived
by her sister Louella (Bob) Kline, sons Sam (Bridget), Jim (Rayma), Bob (Debra); and
her daughters Julie (Jake), Mary (Patrick), and Laura (Mike). She was so proud of her
15 grandchildren and her 19 great-grandchildren and always enjoyed the time that she
spent with them. She will be buried next to Donny and Don in the Melbourne Cemetery.
Her memory will always live warmly in our hearts.
