Martha Gail Belcher Sargent

Martha Gail Belcher Sargent, 88, of Clay, entered the arms of Jesus from her home early on November 23, 2025. Born in Warren, Arkansas, on August 15, 1937, she was the first daughter of Jewell and Lera Belcher and grew up in Alabama with her siblings Doug, Jewell Jr. (Pete), Sandra, and Randy. She attended school in Sayre and graduated from Corner High School in 1955.

Martha married young and embraced a life of travel as the wife of military servicemen. She welcomed her daughter, Donna, in 1958, and her son, David, in 1960. After many moves across the country and abroad, she eventually returned to Alabama to be near her beloved family. In 1979, she endured the heartbreaking loss of her son, David, at age 18.

In 1983, she married the love of her life, Robert R. “Bob” Sargent, a childhood classmate and lifelong admirer. After a career in retail management, Martha trained as an electrician, and she and Bob operated their business, Livewire, Inc., until retirement.

In 1994, Martha and Bob founded The Hummer/Bird Study Group, Inc., their greatest legacy. Through research, bird banding, and conservation work across the Southeast, they advanced the understanding of hummingbirds and trained future generations of bird researchers.

A devoted member of Clay United Methodist Church, Martha lived her faith through service, gentleness, and a deep appreciation of God’s creation. She was an avid gardener, reader, and birdwatcher, traveling with Bob to Alaska, Canada, South and Central America, Iceland, Australia, and Kenya.

Martha is survived by her daughter Donna and son-in-law Matthew; brother Randy Belcher (Marie); nieces and nephews; numerous cousins; and many beloved grand- and great-nieces and nephews; as well as former son-in-law, Duane Berger (Sonya).

She is reunited in Heaven with her cherished husband Bob; her son David; her parents; siblings Doug, Pete, and Sandra; and nephew Joey.

Martha’s life was one of love, curiosity, faith, and devotion. Her legacy will live on in the countless lives she touched and in every hummingbird gracing the world she so dearly protected.