Martha Ann Morton Martin

Martha was born in Birmingham on February 17, 1936. She passed away at Ascension St. Vincent’s East on April 24, 2024, following a brief but hard-fought battle to recover from successive surgeries. As Martha’s eternal soul departed this life, she was surrounded by the loving presence of her son, her pastors, and other family and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Carl Ledford Morton and Mary Virginia Higdon Morton, her sister, Ruth Morton Whetstone, and her loving husband of 44 years, Howard Reed Martin.

Martha is survived by her son, Carl Gamble Martin, two nieces, Sharon Whetstone Slovensky (Louis) and Dana Walden, as well as a host of great nieces and nephews. 

Martha’s life of 88 years was a testament to her faith in Jesus Christ and her love for others. For decades she served in various capacities as a member of First Baptist Church Trussville. She taught Sunday School for age groups ranging from 4-year-old children to senior adults; she chaired the Condolence Committee; and each month for more than 30 years, she and her beloved Howard led a group of volunteers to serve food, pray, and worship at the Jimmie Hale Mission.

More recently, Martha became an active member at Cahaba Springs Presbyterian Church. She treasured worship there, as well as the learning and fellowship opportunities of the Thursdays Together study group.

No matter where she worshiped, whether in the choir or in the congregation, Martha always loved raising her alto voice in beauteous praise to God. She said that she inherited her voice from her father and her musical ear from her mother. And now they all sing together as part of that great, heavenly choir. Alleluia!

The family will receive friends on Friday, May 3, 2024, from 10:30 until noon at Jefferson Memorial in Trussville. At noon there will be a graveside service for family and close friends. Pastor deNay Kirkpatrick of Cahaba Springs will officiate.

A Service in Witness to the Resurrection is scheduled for 2 pm on Saturday, May 18, 2024, at Cahaba Springs Presbyterian Church in Trussville. Pastor deNay Kirkpatrick (Cahaba Springs) and the Reverends Terry Hamilton-Poore and Nicole Newton (First Presbyterian Birmingham) will lead worship and share the sacrament of Holy Communion. A reception will follow.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in memory of Martha to Cahaba Springs Presbyterian Church (www.cspchurch.org), the Presbyterian Home for Children (www.phfc.org), or the Human Rights Campaign (www.hrc.org).

“This is my ending; this, my resurrection;
 into your hands, Lord, I commit my spirit.”

From “There in God’s Garden”