Martha Wilkerson Faris

ROCK HILL - Mrs. Martha Wilkerson Faris, 90, of 833 Patton Street, and a native of Fort Mill, S.C., passed away Friday, May 25, 2012, at Agape Senior of Rock Hill, S.C.

A memorial service will be held to celebrate Mrs. Faris's life at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, May 29, 2012, at Woodland United Methodist Church, with Dr. Larry Parker officiating. Internment will be in the church memorial garden. The family will receive friends in the church family life center following the services.

Mrs. Faris was the daughter of the late G. W. Wilkerson and Sally Thrower Wilkerson. Mrs. Faris was preceded in death by her husband, John A. Faris Sr.; her brothers, Ray, Curtis and Kenneth Wilkerson; and her sister, Johnsie Wilkerson Barnette.

Mrs. Faris is survived by her brother, Robert Wilkerson of Charlotte; her daughter, Deborah Hohman Cox of Rock Hill; her son, John A. Faris Jr. and wife, Ann Huston Faris; her grandson, Samuel W. Faris; her granddaughter, Dorothy Audrel Faris; and two very special friends, Cora and Walt Allison, all of Rock Hill.

Mrs. Faris was a graduate of the York County Hospital School of Nursing. Hers was the first class to finish training at York County Hospital in August 1944. Mrs. Faris received five saving bonds for outstanding ability as a nurse.

Mrs. Faris continued her love for nursing at the York County Hospital for many years before continuing that love as a nurse for Dr. Robert Patton in a house office near Oakland Avenue and later in their new office on Ebenezer Road called Rock Hill Family Practice.

Mrs. Faris's dedication to her patients was made evident by the fact that everywhere she went she was stopped and hugged by strangers to her family. When asked, "Who was that?" Mrs. Faris would always respond, "That's one of my sweet patients."

Besides nursing, Mrs. Faris was a longtime member of Woodland United Methodist Church, joining the church the first Sunday Woodland opened its doors. She was a member of the Fidelis Sunday school class and the Unity class, a member of the United Methodist Women and Susanna Wesley Circle. Mrs. Faris was also a member of the Weekly Prayer Service where she played the piano.

When their children were preteens and teens, Mrs. Faris and her husband were youth leaders of the Methodist Youth Fellowship, taking many groups on weekend retreats.

The family of Mrs. Faris wish to thank the staff of Agape Senior for the loving care shown to their mother and grandmother. They also wish to thank the entire staff of Home Instead Senior Care for their love and care for Mrs. Faris. Thanks to the staff of Piedmont Medical Center and to everyone at Rock Hill Family Practice.

In lieu of flowers, memorials gifts may be made to Woodland United Methodist Church, 801 N. Cherry Road, Rock Hill, SC 29732.

Condolences may be made at www.greenefuneralhome.net.