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Martha Lou Abott Parnell Myrtle Beach, SC Martha Lou Parnell, better known to family and friends as Marti, passed away peacefully at Grand Strand Regional Medical Center in Myrtle Beach on Thursday, October 15, 2015 after battling cancer. Marti was born in Huntington, WV, on the sixth day of December, 1956, the daughter of Elizabeth Anne Austin Abott and James Howard Abott. She graduated from Huntington High in 1973 and attended the Marshall Lab School. A resident of Myrtle Beach since 1974, Marti spent 36 summers welcoming visitors from all over the world to Ocean Lakes Family Campground and the Myrtle Beach Area. Marti trained hundreds of teammates at Ocean Lakes about hospitality and tourism. The guests loved her. She was highly regarded as being honest, ethical, smart and consistent by all those who knew her. Many are struggling in her absence, missing the sounds of her laughter in the hallways, which now seem empty. Marti loved her husband of 23 years, "Harry Bear" and her precious blessing, Bulliet, of 15 years, who guarded her home and heart. She enjoyed the Carolina sunshine sitting in her backyard feeding the ducks or touring around in her VW Beetle convertible, which never saw a speck of dust. During her career at Ocean Lakes, Marti was recognized as The Jackson Companies 2007 Outstanding Teammate for her remarkable guest service. In 2015, Marti was recognized by Ocean Lakes Family Campground for 35 years of service, having one of the longest tenures at the campground. That being said, everyone was amazed by her youthful looks, as she never seemed to age. Lord willing, we will meet again and He will put her in charge of reservations. Marti is predeceased by her parents and survived by her husband, Harry Branford Parnell, Jr., her in-laws, Todd Williams and Jeannie Parnell Williams of Panama City Beach, FL. In addition, her nieces Lauren Jeanette Williams and her fiancée Hunter Shaw, Carley Jean and her husband Jacob Parker, her grandniece, Ellie Jean "Butterbean" Parker, her lifelong friend, Bobby Seay, and her entire Ocean Lakes family of teammates and friends. A funeral service will be held at 10 AM on Monday, October 19, 2015 at the Church of the Resurrection located at 8901 Highway 17 Bypass S. in Surfside Beach. The family will receive friends from 5 - 7 PM on Sunday, October 18, 2015 at Goldfinch Beach Chapel located at 11528 Highway 17 Bypass in Murrells Inlet. Graveside services will be held at Tisdale's Cemetery in Kingstree, SC at 2:00 pm. Please sign Marti's online guestbook at www.goldfinchfuneralhome.com. Goldfinch Funeral Home, Beach Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.

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Martha Lou Abbott Parnell

December 6, 1956 - October 15, 2015