Martha Withers

1949 - 2023

Martha Withers
September 1, 1949 - June 6, 2023
Dallas, North Carolina - Martha Perry Withers, 73, eldest daughter of Virginia Dare Lay Withers and Edsel Loyd Withers, passed away June 6, 2023, after a period of declining health. Martha was born September 1, 1949, at the Lay-Withers family home on Ratchford Road, Dallas. She was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Gerald Douglas Withers; grandparents, Eva Perry Hudson Lay, John Baxter "Bud" Lay, Katy Augusta Huffstetler Withers, and D. A. Withers; and nephew, Anthony Brande McGinnis. Martha dearly loved her family and adored her roles as aunt and great-aunt, doting on her siblings' children and grandchildren as if they were her own. She is survived by sisters: Teresa Porter (Alex), Concord; Rachel Withers (Dean McElveen), Gastonia; Helen Withers, Dallas; Ellen McGinnis (Tony), Dallas; Catherine Jamieson (Gene), Simpsonville, SC; Chris Withers; and sister-in-law, Mary H. Withers, Belmont. Surviving brothers are John Withers (Jeanette), Morrisville, NC; Lewis Withers (Cindy), Charlotte; Joe Withers (Cecille), Dallas; and Tommy Withers (LeAnne), Dallas. Martha also leaves behind nieces and nephews: Ánna Withers, Leigh Schoonover (Preston), Seth Withers (Rachel), Ben Withers (Mandie), Gerald Withers, Edsel Withers, Preston Porter (Sadie), Alexandra Porter, Sarah Withers, Charles Withers, Brad Withers (Erica), Andrew Withers (Jessica), Katie LaPointe (Steve), Christopher Jamieson, Patrick Jamieson, and Zachary, 12 grandnieces and grandnephews, and many special friends. Martha was educated at St. Michael's Catholic School, Sacred Heart Academy, and Dallas High School, graduating in 1967. She attended Sacred Heart College and Western Carolina University majoring in Elementary Education. In the early 1970s Martha worked various positions including nanny, teachers' aide, salesperson, and airport security agent. Later she moved to Atlanta and launched a successful 44-year career in hotel sales, marketing, and hospitality with Victor Hotel Management Company working with both Holiday Inn and Wyndham Garden Hotels. She served as Director of Sales and Senior Sales Manager at various locations in Atlanta, Charlotte, Columbia, Rock Hill, and Statesville. Martha especially enjoyed coordinating and planning décor and menu details for parties, conventions, receptions, and other special events for her corporate, governmental, educational, civic, and community clients. Also, Martha loved working part time for many years on Sunday mornings in several Charlotte area church nurseries. An active member of St. Michael Catholic Church, Martha volunteered with the Ministry of Hope, the Thrift Store, Meals for the Needy, and various fundraisers. In 2007, she became a Mercy Associate of the Sisters of Mercy in Belmont, serving with other Associates in the Outreach Ministry. She supported the Red Cross, Salvation Army, Boys' and Girls' Club, Civitans, Hospice, Friends of the Library, Paul Newman Charities, and many others. Martha lived a life that reflected generosity, kindness, and love. She once said, "Life is not just about yourself; it's about other people." Martha's family expresses gratitude for the loving and professional assistance and care Martha received from the staffs of SYNERGY HomeCare of Gastonia, Always Family Senior Care of Dallas, and Gaston Hospice. Donations in memory of Martha can be made to Sisters of Mercy, 101 Mercy Drive, Belmont, NC 28012 or to St. Michael Catholic Church, 708 St. Michael's Lane, Gastonia, NC 28052. The family will receive friends from 10:00am until 11:00am on Thursday, June 15, 2023 at St. Michael Catholic Church. A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11:00 am at St. Michael Catholic Church. Interment following in Belmont Abbey Cemetery. Condolence messages may be sent online at mcleanfuneral.com. McLean Funeral Directors of Gastonia is serving the Withers family.