VIRGINIA BEACH – Martha Beale Netto, widow of John M. Netto, passed away peacefully on April 23, 2011. Born in Branchville, Va., on June 9, 1922, she was the daughter of the late Otelia Newton and Ewell T. Beale, Sr. Mrs. Netto graduated from Boykins High School and was a member of Persons United Methodist Church. She was predeceased by her brother, Ewell T. Beale, Jr.; by her brother-in-law, James T. Turner, Jr.; and by the father of her children, Vernon J. Smith, Sr.

She is survived by her daughter, Susan Smith Bowles and her husband Rodney B. Bowles; by her son, William T. Smith; and by her only grandchild to whom she especially enjoyed doting on, Jeffrey B. Bowles and his wife Catherine McCallum Bowles, all of Virginia Beach. Mrs. Netto is also survived by her sister, Marie Beale Turner of Boykins, Va., and by her sister-in-law, Marie Bryan Beale of Franklin, Va.

A celebration of her life will be held graveside by The Rev. Darwin G. Edwards at Beechwood Cemetery in Boykins, Va., on Saturday, April 30, 2011, at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations be made to Persons United Methodist Church Cemetery Fund, c/o Mr. John Miller, 27826 Ivey Tract Road, Drewryville, Va., 23844. Cremation and burial services are being handled by Hollomon-Brown Funeral Home in Virginia Beach, Va., and by Wright Funeral Home in Boykins, Va.

Condolences may be offered to the family at www.hollomon-brown.com.