Edna Ruth Brown Martin

Edna Ruth Brown Martin, of Roanoke, Va., departed this life on Saturday, August 29, 2009. She was born on May 29, 1919, in Spartanburg, S.C., to the late Hampton R. and Janie Petty Brown. She was preceded in death by her husband, the Reverend Celesta F. Martin; a daughter, Sterileen Woods Hubbard; a sister, Mozelle Brown; and brothers, Andrew and Morris Brown. Those left to cherish her memory are three children, Wesley Brown, Rosemary Mitchiner (Reginald) and Gerald Lockhart. Also surviving are 11 grandchildren, Monica Millner, Adrian Millner, Derreyl Brown, Nigel Brown, Uvonne Brown, Carla Woods, Warren Woods, Michelle Rhame, Ashley Rhame, Angela Arnold, Shallina Divers; 13 great-grandchildren; niece, Betty Jenkins; and nephews, Andrew and Francis Brown, Ernest Brown and Daniel Calloway. Mrs. Martin was educated in the public schools of Roanoke City and graduated in the first class of Lucy Addison High School, the Class of 1935. She held positions throughout the Roanoke valley and retired from the Salem VA Medical Center. Along with her family, her church was very important throughout Mrs. Martin's life. She was a long-standing member of the AME Zion Church becoming active in St. John AME Zion Church in Northeast Roanoke as a child with her family. This affiliation continued for 75 years and extending to the present Price Memorial AME Zion Church. She served in the church as a Girl Scout leader, member of the gospel chorus, a Stewardess, a Trustee, the Ladies Auxiliary, and the Women's Home and Overseas Missionary Society. Sister Martin also participated in the Federation of Methodist Women and numerous social and civic organizations throughout the community. She was a fixture at the annual conferences of the AME Zion East Tennessee and Virginia Conference. Often, she would schedule her vacations to permit wider participation. The family visitation will be held from 7 to 8 p.m. at the HamlarCurtis Funeral Home on Thursday, September 3, 2009. Mrs. Martin's funeral will be held 11 a.m. on Friday, September 4, 2009, at Price Memorial AME Zion Church, 506 15th St., N.W. The Reverend Cameron Jackson is pastor and will preside. Internment will follow in Williams Memorial Park, Roanoke. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.Hamlar-Curtis.com.