Martha Ann Mengel

Martha Ann Hovious Mengel, 78, of Franklinton, North Carolina, passed away Thursday, June 16, 2016, in Oxford, North Carolina, of complications of Alzheimer's.
She was was born May 21, 1938, in Louisville.
She is survived by her husband, Larry Lee Mengel; a daughter, Stephanie Mengel Knudsen; a granddaughter, Camille Lee Knudsen; two sisters, Mary Ann Brown and Deborah McFerren; and a brother, Ron Brady.
Martha was the daughter of George Hovious and Ida Helen Sublett.
Martha was an Army wife for 30 years. She and Larry moved 26 times during their Army career, to include a three-year tour in Germany and time in Kentucky, Indiana, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Virginia. She made each duty station a home full of love, beauty and hospitality.
Most important in her life was her personal relationship with her Savior, Jesus Christ. She lived her faith through her church, her love for her family and her volunteer work. She was active in church in every place she lived. Most recently, Martha was a member of Memorial United Methodist Church in Elizabethtown, where she served as president of the United Methodist Women for two years.
She was a consummate homemaker, gourmet cook and craft artist, but her passion was gardening. She built and maintained an elaborate garden at every home and became a garden club enthusiast. She served as president of Potted Few Garden Club at Fort Knox, director of Dogwood District of the Garden Club of Kentucky and then as president of the Garden Clubs of Kentucky serving 60 clubs with 2,000 members.
Wherever Martha found herself stationed with Larry, she became actively involved in the community serving in leadership roles in numerous organizations. She served the military community in varied roles in the Officers' Wives' Club. Much of her volunteer efforts were on the part of The Red Cross. During their stay in Kentucky, she was president of the International Group of Fort Knox for six nonconsecutive years serving as a social sponsor to 60 families of international students, who were temporarily attending schools at Fort Knox. Additionally, she was active in the Woman's Club of Elizabethtown doing work to support the local library, the Spouse Abuse Center and many other community activities. She served as president of the Women's Club for four years. During Larry's career in the Army, Martha sang in chapel and church choirs around the world.
The Elizabethtown Junior Woman's Club honored Martha as its 17th annual Hall of Fame Award recipient in 2009.
Throughout her life, she worked to make life better and more beautiful for everyone around her. Her family hopes that Martha's life of service to others will continue to have an impact for years to come.
The funeral is at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 25, at Hope Lutheran Church, 3525 Rogers Road, Wake Forest, North Carolina. In addition, a memorial service will be held at Memorial United Methodist Church in Elizabethtown at a time to be scheduled in early July.
Memorial contributions may be made to Garden Club of Kentucky or to Alzheimer's Association.
A service of Bright Funeral Home & Cremation Center, Wake Forest, North Carolina.