Steleatha Levonda Martin

Steleatha Levonda Martin, youngest daughter of the late
Thomas Andrew Grate and Mary L. Irving, was born on April 05, 1965
in Baltimore, Maryland. She lost her fight after suikring trom a rare
disease called Amyloidosis on April 05, 2014.

She received her education at Howard Park Elementary, Pimlico
Junior High, and "Mervo" High School. After graduating, she held
several jobs, the most recent being Fed Ex, where she was employed for
14 years, as a Customer Service Representative. She was known by her
co-workers for always ringing her bell when a customer got on her last
nerves.

Since childhood, she attended New St. Mark Baptist Church,
where at the tender age of 4, she started singing on the choir where her
passion for singing exploded She sang "The National Anthem" to open
the Bay Sox Baseball game, won many karaoke contests, sang at
weddings, funerals, and lamily functions. Her two greatest musical
accomplishments were singing her original song about guns and
violence affecting children at the "Atrsm" and winning "Showtime at
the Apollo" several times. Let's not forget her singing above the music
at "Shake and Bake" as she was getting her "Rollage On'.

Known as Lisa, Leatha, Starr, Lee-Lee, Lee, Nee-Nee, Lisa Grate,
Poogie, Poom-Poom, Stella, Stella-Funk, Grama Starr, and most
importantly Ma and Mommy, she attracted numerous triends due to her
jubilant personality. Her laughter and sarcasm was one to be reckoned
with. She was a bigjokester and agitator, but don't get it wrong, she
did not put up with foolishness.

Her interests included roller skating, karaoke, line dancing,
professional singing, and collecting non-related grandchildren. Many
who knew her knew her Iamous sayings: "I gotta do what I gotta do",
"Consequences equal Repercussions" and "Whatever Hater".

Mary, her mother, was dedicated to taking care of her baby, even
sacrificing her own well-being. She loved & comforted her and kept her
feeling safe during this trying time. Leatha loved being pampered by
her" Mommy".

Throughout her illness, her long time best triends, Robin Johnson,
Shonta Boone, her Godmother Sarah Haygood and her Buddy oh Pal
James Brockington(The Machine) were all there trom the beginning to
the end.

She was preceded in death by her lather, Thomas A. Grate, and
her two grandsons, Chance & Derrell Coates Jr. B.KA. Batman & Robin.
She leaves behind: her mother, Mary Irving; step lather, Thomas
Irving; two daughters, Shy Philson and Alexus Martin; two sisters,
Cecelia Grate-Griflin and Ketonya Cheatham (Vincent); one brother,
Keith Turner; three nieces, Keire Hunter (Lawrence), Ceira Turner-
Wright (Ike), Ashley Turner; one nephew, Kyle Griflin; aunts, uncles,
cousins, and a host of relatives and triends.