Evelyn M. Marshall, 98, of Manassas, VA, passed away peacefully at her home with family members by her side on March 28, 2023

Evelyn was born in Linden, NJ to William and Mabel Morrison in 1924, the middle of three siblings. She graduated high school in 1942, and shortly after began working for Eastern Aircraft as an assembly line tool dispenser, supporting fabricators building the wartime Grumman Wildcat F4F aircraft. To support America’s war effort of World War II, Evelyn chose to enter the military and was sworn into the United States Navy on her 20th birthday. Trained as a radio operator and proficient in Morse code, she served in Washington, DC receiving and transmitting ship to shore messages. It was during this time on an off-duty evening Evelyn met Frank Marshall and, after a brief courtship, were married in July 1945. Discharged with honor from their respective miliary branches, they settled into civilian life in Alexandria, VA.

Their career in aviation began with the formation of Airport Management, Inc in 1959, operating the original Manassas Airport with a goal to bring the small rural airport to a viable asset that would better serve the needs of the growing general aviation industry. During this period, Evelyn to learn to fly, soloed, acquired over 100 hours, but never seemed to find the time to get her private pilot license. However, she did tandem jump from an airplane three times - on her 70th, 80th and 90th birthdays and was looking forward to another jump on her 100th! Her answer to the question from her pilot friends “why would anyone jump out of a perfectly good airplane?” “Because it is exciting!”

Keeping their sights on meeting a growing need for greater aviation capability, they formed Marshall Aviation, Inc. and continued to expand their aviation activities in Virginia and Maryland, acquiring a Piper Aircraft distributorship in the process.

After reacquiring the management lease at new Manassas Airport, the Marshalls relocated the Piper distributorship to Manassas and successfully opened one of the first aircraft showrooms in general aviation. The operations of Marshall Aviation were sold in 1974 with an eye towards enjoyment of retirement life.
After Frank’s untimely death in 1975, Evelyn continued to be actively involved in the aviation community in the Commonwealth for another 43 years. Evelyn worked at Woodbridge Airport and later returning to Manassas Airport at Dulles Aviation, the successor to Marshall Aviation, where she served the industry for 30 additional years, retiring (again) at age 93.

Evelyn had been a long-time supporter of Virginia aviation, serving on the Board of Directors of the Virginia Aviation Business Association and a member of the Flying Circus Airshows. Evelyn was elected to the Virginia Aviation Hall of Fame in November 2018.

Evelyn was preceded in death by husband Frank Marshall in 1975, longtime companion Charles Kulp in 2021, and daughters Penny (Charles) Winstead and Joan Marshall. She is survived by sons Troy (Nikki) Marshall and Bill (Karen) Marshall, grandchildren Charles (Elisabeth) Winstead III, Melanie (Robert) DeCesare, Michael (Amanda) Marshall, Jennifer Winstead, Jonathan (Michelle) Winstead, Troy Marshall II, Matthew (Kimberly) Marshall, Allison (Patrick) Zanelotti, twelve great-grandchildren and beloved nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends from 5-7 PM on Tuesday, April 4th at Baker-Post Funeral Home, located at 10001 Nokesville Road, Manassas, VA 20110. There will be a funeral service at the funeral home the following morning at 11 AM, with a brief visitation starting at 10 AM. Mrs. Marshall will be laid to rest next to her husband at Stonewall Memory Gardens at 12 Noon, immediately following her funeral service, where she will also be receiving Military Honors. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to her church, Wesleyan United Methodist Church PO Box 241 Calverton, VA 20138.

Please sign the guestbook at www.bakerpostfh.com

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