Martha F. Allen

With profound love and gratitude for a life well lived, the family of Martha Fitzgerald Allen shares her passing on August 16, 2025, after a courageous battle with illness. Martha's presence filled rooms with laughter, steadied hearts with grit, and wrapped generations in a love that was unwavering and unmistakable. Martha was born on April 4, 1942, to the late Royal Cedric Stokes and Martha Ella Jennings-Stokes. She was the eldest of 4 siblings, two of whom she leaves to mourn, Robert Lee Stokes (Carolyn) of Newport News, VA and Roosevelt ''Dale'' Mahan (Loryne) of Crewe, VA. Her brother and sister preceded her in death, Royal Andrew Stokes (Christine) and Corine Gray (Edward). She was also preceded in death by a daughter, Deangela Michelle Fitzgerald . She leaves behind 5 children, who mourn her passing: Daniel Maurice Stokes (Donna) of Baltimore, MD; Dennis Demetrice Fitzgerald (Delois) of Hampton, VA; Daisy Fitzgerald Tuggle of Crewe, VA; Dedric Monte Allen (Norma) of Baltimore, MD; and Micah Betrell Allen of Fayetteville, NC. She leaves behind a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins.

Martha's story is one of strength, service, humor, and love. She carried both responsibility and joy with grace, weaving strength, humor, and devotion into every chapter of her life. To her family and community, she was a pillar-steadfast, spirited, and one of a kind. She worked many years as a talented seamstress, stitching beauty and utility into everyday life. She also cared for many through her work as a CNA, as well as a family daycare provider, where she cared for many of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren whom she was affectionately known as "Ganny". She was baptized in the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses on 9/11/1982 and was led by her faith until the end. Ganny was the "life of the party" and had a sharp wit and a tough exterior, but beneath it all she loved her family deeply and brought so much laughter to our lives. Even in her later years, when times were challenging, her humor and presence remained unforgettable. She was truly one of a kind and she will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

Martha's legacy lives on in every story told around the table, every joke that eases a heavy day, and every act of care extended in her honor. Her influence will ripple through generations. May her memory be a blessing, her laughter an echo that lingers, and her love a light that guides her family forward.

Special Acknowledgements

The family would like to take the time to acknowledge devoted cousins Carolyn Beverly and Henry Oliver who checked in on Martha daily, as well as Centra Hospitals, Amedisys Hospice, Chase City Health and Rehab, Farmville Health and Rehab, and her spiritual family from the Blackstone Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses.