Madonna Mulkey Martin, 78, passed away April1, 2024 in Lake Ridge, Virginia.

Mary Madonna Mulkey (Donna) was born November 3, 1945 in Ennis, Texas to James Henry Mulkey of Ennis, Texas and Mary Louise Smith Mulkey of Macon, Georgia.

In 1960, following the death of her father, Madonna and her mother Louise moved to Augusta, Georgia where she graduated from Butler High School. She married her first husband Cecil D. Chesser in 1963 and had three children Cherisse, James and Wendy.

As an army wife, Donna traveled extensively with her family including Turkey, Germany and South Korea as well as all over the United States. She had the ability to throw a quiet gathering for homesick soldiers or an elegant party for 100 people and make them all feel at welcome.

In 1984, Donna returned to the Washington DC area where she embarked on a career as a travel agent, putting her love and knowledge of travel to use.

Donna met her second husband, Daniel R Martin, Ret. Navy in 1989. They spent years traveling, visiting friends and enjoying life together.

When Dan passed away in in 2002, Donna moved to Lake Ridge, Virginia to be closer to her family. She continued to share her love of travel, leading occasional trips for small groups, but she spent most of her time visiting her family and friends and enjoying her dog, Freddie and cats, KC and Squirrel.

Madonna passed away after a long illness. She will be missed by her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren as well as her extended family in Augusta, Georgia, friends throughout the Washington DC area and the military community.

A small  gathering will be held for friends and family to celebrate her life in May after which her ashes will be spread on a beautiful beach in the sunshine as per her request.

Madonna is survived by her children Cherisse Hampton (Dan), James Chesser (Kim), and Wendy Morningstar; her son- in-law Richard Morningstar and her daughter-in-law Angie Smith; her stepchildren Lisa Bowman, Daniel Martin and Carrie Martin; her 15 grandchildren Caitlin Lazaro-Hampton (Yoshio), Matthew Hampton (Annie), Bradley Morningstar (Jennifer), Madison Morningstar, Claude Hampton, Priciliana Hampton, Morgan Chesser Dehner (Kaleb), Nicholas Chesser (Karli), Tiffany Stanley (Toby), LaJuan Thomas, Dallas Hampton, Skyler Hampton, Kemper Hampton, Cristian Jose and Kaya Chesser; her 11 great-grandchildren Emma Stanley, Jonatan Lazaro-Hampton, Joel Lazaro-Hampton, Jenifer Lazaro-Hampton, Evelyn Hampton, Lily Hampton, Kleo Chesser, Bentley Morningstar, Lincoln Dehner, Sebastian Chesser and Charlotte Morningstar.

Madonna was preceded in death by her husband Daniel Martin, first husband Cecil D. Chesser and  granddaughters, Kelsi Chesser and Lucy Napolitan.

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