Martha Garnette Dabney Lee was the youngest of three children, born to the late Rev. Eddie N. Garnette and Rev. Eleanor W. Garnette, on July 10, 1938, in Bristol Tennessee. She was preceded in death by her husbands, Raymond L. Dabney, Sr., and Robert E. Lee (Bob), and sister, Charlotte R. Jefferson.

Martha accepted Christ at an early age and graduated from John F. Slater High School in Tennessee. She attended Johnson C. Smith University in North Carolina and Albany State University in Georgia. On July 31, 1965, Martha married Raymond L. Dabney, Sr., her "First True Love," and moved to Petersburg, Virginia. She was a loving mother to his six children. After twelve wonderful years of marriage, she became widowed. On March 23, 1984, Martha married Robert E. Lee (Bob) and they shared a happy life together.

Martha was employed by Virginia State University in Petersburg Virginia, as a Librarian Assistant, retiring after 44 years of service. She enjoyed working on trivia crossword puzzles and playing strategic board games with her family and friends.

Martha joined Oak Street A.M.E. Zion Church, in Petersburg Virginia. She proudly wore many hats in a classy and dignified manner for 53 years. She was a Choir member, Sunday School Teacher, Church Bulletin typist, and volunteer for many special events. She was an active member at Greater Faith A.M.E. Zion Church, in Petersburg Virginia, until her health suddenly declined.

Left to cherish her loving memory, a devoted sister, Mary E. Tuning, of Petersburg, Virginia; four daughters, Saundra Jordan (John) of Richmond Virginia, Gilda Robinson (Bernard) of Ruther Glen VA, Eloise Estes of Tacoma, Washington, Annette Blowe (Kenneth) of Fredericksburg, Virginia; two sons, Raymond Dabney, Jr. of Dinwiddie, Virginia, Wayne Dabney (Sabrina) of Chester, Virginia, and foster son, Calvin Evans (Sharon) of Virginia Beach, Virginia; brother-in-law, Rev. Vernon (Billy) Lee of Petersburg, Virginia; eleven grandchildren; twenty-four-great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren; a devoted granddaughter, Shakyla Robinson of Ruther Glen, Virginia; nieces, Lydia Hunlen of Atlanta, Georgia, Judy Cherry of Chester, Virginia, Dafney Sykes (Lilton), and Chantelle Lee both of Petersburg, Virginia; nephews, William Jefferson of Laurelton, New York, Wesley Tuning of  Apollo, Florida, and Malcolm Lee (Alecia) of Portsmouth, Virginia; and a host of cousins, other relatives and friends.

Special thanks to her cousins, Henry Jr. and Carolyn Wisdom; cherished neighbors, Charles Sr. and Faye Taliaferro, Peter and Mildred Radcliff, Al and Celestine Jackson, Stephanie McNeil, Annie Griffin and daughters, Linda and Vonda Fitzgerald; special friends, Gail Hayes, Phoebe Brown, Francis Hill and Charolette Gibbs. Many thanks to Bon Secours St. Mary's Hospital Staff and Chapters Health Hospice Staff, in Richmond Virginia.

"Martha's Big Heart, Tender Hugs, Radiant Smile, Delightful Laughter and Great Sense of Humor will be Dearly Missed."

A Memorial Service will be held at 12 Noon, Friday, July 10, 2026, at Greater Faith A.M.E. Zion Church, 1301 Young's Road, Petersburg VA, the Rev. Randy V. Kiah, Pastor.

In lieu of flowers, the family request that contributions be made to Greater Faith A.M.E. Zion Church in Memory of Martha Garnette Dabney Lee.

J. M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment, Inc., 102 South Avenue, Petersburg, VA, (804) 732-8911, www.jmwilkersonsince1874.com. Watch the funeral services live online on our J. M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment, Inc. Facebook page or click here to view: https://vimeo.com/event/6043596?fl=so&fe=fs