Search by Name

Add a Memory

Send Flowers

Make a Donation

Share Obituary

Martha Mann Sewell

Martha Sewell Obituary

News Death Notice

SEWELL, Martha Mann Age 89 formerly of Middletown, passed peacefully away at the home of her daughter Brenda VanIwegan in Jeffersonville, Indiana November 22, 2008. Martha was born August 23, 1919 to Bess & Soloman Mann, she was the last sibling of 10 children. Martha was educated by her father Soloman, in a one room school house on The Licking River in Bloomington, KY. She was a talented writer seamstress & artist and was a member of Moose Lodge #501 D.A.V and Red Cross Volunteer. She will be greatly missed for her sense of humor, family gatherings, big heart & wisdom. She was preceded in death by her parents, Husband of 49 years Cecil (Pete) Chriswell Sewell, infant son Cecil Jr., infant daughter Peggy Ann, daughter Joyce Ann Lewis, grandsons James, Jared, Kay & Stanley Lewis, brothers Arnett, Lawson, Paul, Howard, Marcus & Ben Mann, sisters Ruth Mann, Taylor Augusta Lovely Patrick & Mary Mann Picklesimer. Martha is survived by 9 children; Carl (Penny) Sewell, Mary (Jerry) Crawford, Madelyn (Mike) Scott, Jon (Becky) Sewell, Jerry (Debbie) Sewell, Brenda (Bob) VanInwegan, David (Lisa) Sewell, Cindy Martin, Ruth Hale, 24 grand children: Carl Sewell Jr., Jody Fulton, Paul Moon Jr., Scott Sewell, Debbie Sewell, Jenny Wagenknecul, Jonny Sewell, Amy Sewell, Mike Sewell, Karen Parziale, Christy Eyl, Adam Sewell, Jerry Sewell Jr., Shawn Sewell, Tina Cruz, David Sewell Jr., Lori Billington, Chris VanInwegan, Corey VanInwegan, Gentry Warner, Lauren Sewell, Adam Neal, Tyler Adams & Megan Adams, 36 great grandchildren and 5 great-great grand children. Funeral to be held in Saylersville, KY at Saylersvile Funeral Home on Wednesday November 26. Visitation will be from 11am to 1pm services following from 1-2pm. Interment will be at the Mann Family Cemetery in Bloomington, KY.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Journal-News on Nov. 25, 2008.

Memories and Condolences
for Martha Sewell

16 Entries

Brenda Van Inwegen

December 21, 2008

IT HAD BEEN A HARD YEAR FOR SANTA
A LITTLE GIRL LEARNS LESSON IN SHARING

As this special time of the year draws near, I find myself thinking of a Christmas many years ago when I was a small child, and a lesson I learned which made me a less selfish and more thoughtful person.
It was in the early years of the depression. I lived with my parents, and nine brothers and sisters on a farm in Kentucky, on the Licking River.
It had been an extremely hard year (I was to learn that later). But to a child who believed in Santa Claus with all her heart, hard times meant nothing. I didn’t even know there were hard times. My dad taught school and farmed. Having raised 10 children of my own, I learned in later years what a task it was. And what a hard time my parents must have had during those years. Determined that their children should have the best education available in those days, there were always two or three of my brothers away at school; which had to be a tremendous burden.
Christmas was getting closer. I had worn out a page of the Sears Roebuck catalog looking at a large baby doll I was sure Santa would bring. As the days passed, I could hardly wait. My letter to Santa had been sent up the chimney with the smoke. I remember so well lying on the floor and looking up the chimney of the big fireplace in the dining room to see if it (the letter) was gone.
On Christmas Eve with his ax on his shoulder, Dad called us to dress warmly as it was time to go for the tree. This was a happy event as we followed Dad, looking for the prettiest cedar. We always used cedar trees as they smelled so good.
The tree was set up in the dining room, decorated with faded red and green rope and homemade decorations typical of those days. There were no electric lights, but with a star made from some silver paper Mom had gotten somewhere, to us, our tree was beautiful.
I went to bed early. Tonight I didn’t want to listen to the stories or poems Mom and Dad read to us around the old dining room table by the lamp light. If we went to bed early, Santa would come soon. In the early morning, I slipped from my bed, and felt my way to the Christmas tree. The log fire had died down and I got down on my knees and felt under the tree. Yes, Santa had been there. But there was no baby doll? The objects were so few and so small. I crept back to bed. It was so cold, the feather bed I shared with my little sisters was so warm. I consoled myself: Santa wasn’t finished yet. I waited for some sound of his return but fell asleep. The next thing I heard was Dad throwing logs on the fire and rattling the lids on the old Home Comfort stove.
I called to Dad, asking if we could get up. “Yes,” was his reply, “Santa had been here.” I awakened my sisters and brothers and together we rushed to the tree.
Everyone was excited. The younger boys had gotten their small cap pistols and my little sisters were happy with some small things they had gotten. There was a pair of long brown or black stockings for each of us hanging from the chairs and chimney, each bulging with an apple, an orange, a banana, candy and nuts, these were such special treats.
I began to cry, my heart was broken. What had happened? Maybe my letter hadn’t reached Santa after all. There was a book for me (“Janey Seeking a Home”), a pair of shoes and a little bisque doll about six inches tall. She didn’t even have clothes on.
Mom tried to console me, saying it had been a hard year for Santa and that he had done his best.
She brought out another little doll exactly like mine wrapped in tissue paper. “Why don’t you go visit Sally and see what Santa brought her? Give her this gift from you,” my mother told me.
My little friend lived in an old run-down former school house a short distance away.
That was an idea! I’ll bet she has my baby doll, I thought, trudging down the frozen road in my scuffed shoes, tears still running down my face. I knocked on the door of the weather-beaten house. The door was opened, and the smiling face of my friend stood there. I stepped inside and looked around. There wasn’t even a Christmas tree. I can still see the flushed, happy faces of this family sitting around the pot-bellied stove that Christmas morning.
“Guess what,” Sally said, “Santa brought us a whole box of peppermint sick candy and Mama baked a walnut cake; and we’ll have chicken for dinner.”
I showed her my doll, then I pulled the tissue wrapped doll from my jacket and said with real pride and joy, “This is for you.”
I’ll never forget her face as she ran to her mother who was preparing breakfast in the other end of the building to show her the doll.
We spent many happy hours together making clothes for our dolls out of faded scraps of calico. I was a happy little girl as I trudged home. I cried no more, thinking of the turkey and other special things we would have for dinner.
I had truly learned at an early age that it is better to give, than to receive, and that there are always less fortunate people.
I’m sure my wise mother, knowing my disappointment at not finding the big doll under the tree, did this to teach me to share and to be thankful. She could have spent that extra 25 cents for many things, another gift for me or some necessity.
Last Christmas I told this story to my own little girl. I put my arm around her as we sat looking over her many gifts. She had complained about something she didn’t get. Over the years with gifts from all her older brothers and sisters, and gifts from her parents she hadn’t learned to be thankful and think of the many children who get very little or nothing.
Let us think of others this Christmas. If your child has an abundance of gifts this year or even old toys from another year,ask he or she to think of some child to share even one gift or toy with. And I’m sure they will be happier for doing so.

WRITTEN BY MARTHA MANN SEWELL ( DECEMBER 21,1975)

BRENDA VAN INWEGEN

December 21, 2008

" A MOMENT WITH GOD "
DEAR GOD; HELP ME TO HOLD FAITH IN THE ENDEAVORS OF MY LOVED ONES.GRANT ME THE PATIENCE TO KNOW THEIR INNER SELVES.
WHO AM I TO EXPECT ONLY PERFECTION FROM THOSE CLOSES'T TO ME? MANY ARE THE TIMES, I TOO,HAVE ERRED.
SHOW ME THE NEEDLESSNESS OF WORRY AND TENSION OVER AN UNCERTAIN FUTURE; LET ME PLACE MY TROUBLES IN THY HANDS,THEN GO ABOUT MY TASKS IN A SERENE CONSTRUCTIVE WAY.
WHY DO I FEEL FEAR OF THE UNKNOWN?
LIFE HAS BESTOWED UPON ME MANY BLESSINGS.HELP ME APPRECIATE YOUR GREAT GENEROSITY AND BE HAPPY WITH WHAT I HAVE, NOT GREEDY AND FILLED WITH ENVY.
AND LAST,OH LORD,KEEP ME WISE AND GENTLE,AND DESERVING OF THE LOVE,FAITH AND TRUST THAT MY FAMILY PLACES IN ME.

I FOUND THIS WRITTEN,"BY MOM,"ON A PAGE, IN AN OLD SCRAPBOOK OF HERS.

Cindy Sewell - Martin

December 18, 2008

A Valentine's Day Poem For Mother
by Cindy Sewell-Martin
written in 1985

Dear Mom,

Roses are red,
Violets are blue
There's not another mother
Who could hold a candle to you.

After raising ten kids of your own
And grandchildren too,
How did you do it mom?
You deserve a ribbon of blue.

All those years with hot breakfasts on the table
Before we went to school,
And hot dinners when we came home
You never ran out of fuel.

Times were hard
For all of us I know
But without those times
We would be unable to grow.

Thanks dear mother for all the things you've done
For the whole family,
The cooking, the cleaning,
The bandaging of the knees

And thanks especially Mom, for the things you've done for me.

There is only one thing
I want to be clear,
I love you so very much,
Happy Valentine's Day,
Mother Dear.

Your Loving Daughter, Cindy

Cindy Sewell - Martin

December 17, 2008

Mother dear, it IS you I hear
It IS you I hear
Whispering in my ear.

You have come to visit
And now it is clear
I feel so happy
That you are near.

I felt your touch
And your warm embrace
I felt your soft skin
As I stroked your face.

As I cried in your arms
Your voice did soften
You said that your fine
And you would come back often.

Let it be true
Now that I can see you
And I hear your voice
Like I did with sister Joyce

Where are dad and Joy
Are they with you?
And the rest of the family
And my little dogs too?

I am so happy
That you came to visit me
I knew somehow
It would come to be.

I have so many questions, Mom
About our family
I just hope and pray
That everything will be o.k.

Please come back
So we can talk more
It is so nice to visit
And I'll cry no more.

You said you were proud of me
And I say back to you
I am proud of you too, Mom
For it is I who look up to you.

So Mother dear
Please stay near
Talk to me often
Whisper in my ear.

Give me advice
When I'm confused or sad
Keep coming to visit and
Bring Joy and Dad.

And I feel so blessed
It brings great comfort to me
That I can see, hear, and touch you
When you come to visit me.

Just know I love you
And look forward to sleeping
Where we will visit again
Next time with no weeping.

Stay close Mother Dear
I might need you near
Its also during the day
That I'd like you to be here.

I'll be quiet and listen
For any type of sign
And if I feel a breeze on my face
I'll know it is you and I will be fine.

So long for now
I'll not say goodbye
Farewell Mother Dear
I loved having you here.

Cindy Sewell - Martin

December 16, 2008

Mother dear, is that you I hear?
> I'm having some dreams,
> They're just not clear.
>
> I'm missing you so
> and Christmas is near
> The best gift of all
> Would be knowing you are here.
>
> What am I to do if I can't see you
> I'm hearing your voice
> Speaking kindly to me
> And I'm happy for that,
> If that's all that will be.
>
> If only in my dreams I see you
> That's what we agreed,
> I'll be so delighted
> We did succeed.
>
> So if it is you that I hear
> Please come back more clear.
> Bring Dad and Joy too
> I'd like a visit
> With all three of you.
>
> I love you. You will always be in my heart and I will
> miss you always.
>
> Your loving daughter, Cindy
>
> PS; I miss you so much but find comfort in knowing you
> are with all your siblings and dad, and Joy, and Stan, and all
of dad's siblings. You all always had such fun
together and I know how deeply you loved them. I see you
> all sitting on a porch, the men with their pipes and dressed
> in suits and the ladies in their Sunday best, telling tales
> and laughing. I know you are happy... laughing and dancing
> again. That, to me, is my comfort. God Bless You.

Becky Sewell

December 16, 2008

When I first met Martha, she had just cooked Sunday dinner, for all of her family and a few that weren't-I don't know how she cooked such a large meal and everything was still hot at the same time. She had the patience of Jobe and was always ready to lend a helping hand to anybody in need. I wish I knew everything she had forgotten. She was one of the most giving people I have ever met.I ask her one time how she did everything she did and her words were " make a list-start at the top and cross off one thing at a time when you get it done. It might take a while but eventually you will get it done."Martha was always good to me and me being a daughter in law, alot of times that isn't the case. I have always had the utmost respect for her and took her advice to heart.
. She was a very wise women-but I guess after having 12 children you have to learn to be patient and diligent. I don't think I have ever met a women that loved her family
more then Martha, there is no doubt in my mind she would've gone to the ends of the earth for her family. She didn't have an easy life, but it made her what she was and she carried a sense of humor with her all through her trails and tribulations. Martha will always be a symbol of dedicated mother is. Always there with a smile and understanding hand extended in any time of physical or emotional need. I will truely miss her.

WANDA BOSWELL

December 16, 2008

SHE SOUNDS LIKE A WONDERFUL WOMAN. I WISH I HAD KNOWN HER. SHE MUST HAVE BEEN A WONDERFUL MOTHER, BECAUSE SHE RAISED A SLEW OF GREAT KIDS, AND I FEEL PRIVELEDGED TO BE A FRIEND TO MANY OF THEM. GOOD LUCK IN THE REST YOUR LIVES, I KNOW SHE IS PROUD OF YOU ALL.

Brenda Van Inwegen

December 16, 2008

As I was going through some things of my mothers,I ran across a letter that she had written to the editor of the Middletown Journal years ago,in the 70's or 80's,I'm not sure; here is a story she had submitted titled,"I'm Thankful For The Memories."
As Christmas comes from the word Christ,I like to refer to the Christmas holiday as the birthday of Christ,in preference to Christmas. Many people don't know the meaning of a real Christmas. To me"peace on earth" is the best way we can celebrate the birthday of Christ. AS I look back on the many birthdays of Christ that I have enjoyed while growing up,and the many I have enjoyed with my own large family; I'm thankful for the memories. Some of the years our Christmases were meager, others were more abundent, but all were filled with love. And the gifts that were given, even though simple, were from the heart. I feel sorry for the the people who are giving gifts of expensive cars, diamonds,furs ,and other material things. I feel even more sympathy for those looking forward to these gifts. They may mean well, but have never stopped to think ,that a gift that should be treasured comes from love and sacrifice. How wonderful it is to recieve a gift that you know someone sacrificed to give to you. This is indeed a gift of love, and unselfishness,and it comes from the heart. Especially treasured is a homemade gift. My arts of love are packed away in an old trunk. They are small items my children and grandchildren have given to me over the years when they were growing up and had no money to spend.Small calenders and other items made from used Christmas cards. Many with their own crayon pictures and an occasional school picture of themselves pasted on cardboard bearing the often mispelled words " I love you Mom," or "wish you a merry Christmas." One treasured gift is a pair of praying hands molded from plaster of paris that a little grandson labored over,to give me. The gifts are nicer now, and more expensive, as most of the children are grown up.However, I hope the old trunk holding my gifts of love that clumsy little hands made for me will be handled with care when I am gone. And I sincerely hope my children,grandchildren and great grandchildren will cherish the memory of the many birthdays of Christ that we have shared, as I cherished them. The beauty of the glittering tree, the house littered with gay ribbons and wrapping paper where anxious little hands had hurriedly torn open their gifts.My preparing the huge dinner with little ones running their toys under my feet. I truly feel that I have been blessed. And I appreciate the birth of Christ more as I realize, it is a time to give, not only to our loved ones, but to others less fortunate. And to be thankful for every small blessing. I feel too, that the gift of life that was given to every human being, is still the most precious gift of all. I wish peace,joy,love and togetherness for every family celebrating this special birthday. Martha Ann Sewell BSV

Brenda Van Inwegen

December 15, 2008

Dear Mom,
The holidays are upon us,but,
with little meaning this year.
Thanksgiving was but a haze,
because you weren't near.
We buried you just the day before,our minds were so unclear.
You were the glue that held us together.
Can't believe your'e gone forever.
I still have your memory, and a few pictures of you and me.
All that consoles me, is that now, you are pain free.
Your life was long, and your life
was tough.
But, when you love someone, life is not long enough.
Your'e in my heart,but it's not close enough.
I miss you so much.
Your loving daughter,Brenda

Kathy McKay

December 5, 2008

I did not actually know her, only through her daughter Cindy, but she will always be special to me because of how much she meant to Cindy and her entire family. You will be missed by all and my God take care and watch over you.

Cindy Sewell-Martin

November 27, 2008

She was an amazing woman and the strongest woman I've ever known. My mother. The most important thing in her life was family. How she loved us!

As #9 of the 10 children that she raised, I've had a real appreciation of how she was able to do it all. Hot meals on the table, clothes washing to do and hanging them on the clothes lines; no washers and dryers for her. Then there was the ironing to be done, and cleaning and, well you get the picture. Her work was never done, yet it was always done. She never complained, she just did it.

She and dad always had a garden and fruit trees so we had fresh vegetables and fruits. She also canned the fruits and vegetables which seemed like a really big job to me. We had a certain closeness as a family ( with 2 or 3 to a bed we had no choice but to be close). We sat around the tv after dinner and when homework was done. Usually on a Friday or Saturday night we would have popcorn and kool-aid, or an occasional treat we might get a jug of A&W root beer from the root beer stand down the road. It was funny, mom would spread newspaper on the floor and come and dump the popcorn out and go make another pot, again and again. I remember we would scatter and gather like little bugs going for the popcorn.

With 25 years between the oldest and youngest siblings you can imagine as the older ones married and started families of their own, how the family grew larger and larger and how our Sunday dinners grew. Dinner at 2:00 and we'd all be there. I remember around 1:30 mom would have me start calling everyone to tell them dinner is nearly ready and for them to get a move on. Holidays were also spent together. From New Years Day to Christmas Day and all holidays in between including their birthday. Boy did mom and dad rake in the gifts!! They would alway say "save your money we don't need anything." (I think dad still had unopened packages of underwear when he passed in 1986). I always loved to sit by mom and help her open her lovely gifts.

Mom loved music and dancing and laughter. My dad and siblings also shared in the festive entertainment. We didn't need a reason to gather for music and dancing an oh yes, telling stories or playing sharades... Usually about once a month we would gather at one of the older siblings homes for some real fun. Mom had a great sense of humor. She was funny even when she didn't mean to be, but she didn't mind us laughing at her. She could get so tickled at herself that she would get us laughing until we were in tears. Just as we could calm down the laughter continued. I think having all of us children kept her young. Definitely, young at heart.

A few years ago when she got sick,she came to live with me. I loved taking care of her. She would thank me every night for taking such good care of her and i made sure she knew I was so happy to have her in my home and to care for her. I felt so good when she told me I was a good cook. It was quite a compliment to me coming from her... However, I could never duplicate her fried chicken or chicken and dumplings. I didn't dare even try. But I got a thumbs up for my cornbread.

After living with me a couple of weeks, we were finishing dinner one night. As i moved from the table she watched as I talked to my played with my babies ( 2 cats and a little dog ). I think she had noticed how I cared for her and my pets all along as she made a comment that I will always remember. She said, "Cindy, you should have had children". I asked, "why do you say that mom?" She replied, "you would have made a really good mother." Of course, I couldn't have agreed more, but it just wasn't in the cards for me. For me, and coming from my mother, that was the best compliment of my life.

I miss her. But, we made a deal a few years ago, and again recently. She will be visiting me in my dreams. I can't wait for that.

Jenny Wagenknecht

November 27, 2008

I greive at our family's loss. I am comforted by knowing you are with Grandpa, Mom & Stan.
I love you.

Debra A. Bryant

November 27, 2008

I couldnt have asked for a better Grandmother.

Mary Sanders

November 25, 2008

My prayers are with you Debbie and family. Debbie, i know you will miss your grandma. I love to hear your stories about your grandma.God bless you Debbie

Jack Reed

November 25, 2008

May God be with all the family

Showing 1 - 16 of 16 results