Marguerite Laverne Ashe

Marguerite LaVerne Ashe passed away on April 9, 2026, in her home in Colonial Heights, VA. She is the daughter of the late Jean Paul LaBelle and Edna Virginia LaBelle.

She is survived by her husband, Franklin (Frankie) Ashe. They were married 45 years and lived their entire married life at 207 Marvin Ave. She is also survived by her children of two marriages. They are Frank Ashe III, Amy Bykowski, Barbara Jackson, and Paul Jackson. LaVerne (affectionately known as Verne) is also the grandmother of six children and the great-grandmother of six.

Verne was a long-standing member of THRIVE Church in Chesterfield, Virginia. She was well loved by all the people at church. She would hug everyone as they came in and hug them as they left. She always brightened the room. She was the best travel companion. Verne carried a big "goody" bag of all kinds of things to eat. If Frankie wanted a Tootsie Pop, she would ask what flavor. She would always have a book to read. Verne knew all the rest stops and never missed one. She never complained, and she would give Frankie driving directions (which he, fortunately, would ignore!).

Verne and Frankie were fishing partners. She loved to fish, and she was good at it, too! Frankie would fish hard all day and almost always caught the most fish, but she would sit on the boat with her sun bonnet on and read and eat Tootsie Pops. Their dog, Muttley, would lay by her feet and sleep. Sometimes, she would get bored and quit fishing because, "They were too easy to catch!" Frankie didn't agree!

Verne was the "Mother Teresa" of the neighborhood when the kids were growing up. Frankie worked night shifts at DuPont, so "Ma" (Verne) would take care of their kids AND all the rest of the kids. Everyone recognized Ma as the boss. She always had some goodies for the kids, and everyone loved her. When someone erred, she would take care of the situation. Verne would hardly ever tell Frankie how the kids were messing up, and that was good, because Frankie wanted the kids to reach adulthood!

Verne was an excellent cook. She would make meals that everyone liked. She liked to sew and actually had a job in early life making custom window curtains.

Verne and Frankie were buddies. She would do anything for him and the kids. "You better not mess with her children, or you were in deep trouble".

Verne was so compassionate. She would go out of her way to help anyone; she was just like that.

We will miss her so much, but realizing that we will all be back together some day makes it easier. We all loved you, "Ma". You were everything good to us. You have earned your reward, which will be great! We love you, and rest in peace.

The family will receive friends at the Petersburg Chapel of J.T. Morriss & Son, 103 S. Adams Street, Petersburg, VA, 23803 on Thursday, April 16, 2026, from 4pm to 7pm.