Martha Camden Gupton

Martha Camden Gupton, born on April 30, 1941, in Rockbridge County, Virginia, passed away peacefully at home on March 11, 2025, in Prince George, Virginia. She was 83 years old.

Martha spent her early years in Rockbridge County before settling in Prince George County, Virginia, where she resided for over fifty years. She was predeceased by her son, Joseph B. Gupton, Jr., and is survived by her devoted husband of fifty-seven years, Joseph B. Gupton, Sr. Martha leaves behind a loving family that includes her daughter Vicki Lee Martin (Ricky), sons Robert D. Ayers, Steven R. Gupton (Stephanie), and Michael Allen Gupton (Kim), as well as twenty grandchildren and twenty-two great-grandchildren.

From a young age, Martha dreamed of having a large family, a wish she fulfilled with five children of her own. A dedicated homemaker and nurturing mother, she poured her heart into raising her children with love and care. Being a hands-on, always-personally-involved mother to children led her to playing numerous sports and games, some of which were pitching in recreational church softball, water skiing, snow skiing, and all sorts of board and card games. Always in her children's corner, Martha was protective and supportive of her children as they learned and grew, and remained so even in their adult-hood.

Martha’s passion for caring for children extended beyond her own family. In addition to her five birth children, Martha cared for children as a profession for over twenty-five years. A staunch defender of children, little did she know that caring for children would be her legacy! In her retirement years Martha had many children she once cared for stop by as adults to say hi and fondly remember with her the care she gave them. So many times these children-now-grown-ups would introduce her to their own growing families. Martha was delighted to see her children all grown up and having children of their own!

A long-time Baptist Christian, Martha served her God through her church in numerous positions, some of which were Sunday School teacher, choir member, worship singer and pianist. Martha had a faith that was meaningful to her, and she shared her faith through acts of compassion and service to others for most of her adult life. Martha had excellent teachers of the Christian faith, teachers who modeled a tremendous faith, two of whom were Ruth Tomlinson and J.B. Miles. Monumental Baptist Church and Elm Street Baptist Church were congregations that she learned the Bible and grew in faith. Her lifetime nurturing and protective way with all children and her Christian faith will forever be her legacy. Martha will be sorely missed, but we trust she is in the presence of the Lord!

A funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 15, 2025, at Monumental Baptist Church, 2925 S Crater Road, Petersburg, VA 23805. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the funeral from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the church. Entombment will be private. Arrangements are by the Crater Road Chapel of the E. Alvin Small Funeral Homes, Petersburg, VA 23805.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Crater Community Hospice, 3916 S Crater Road, Petersburg, VA 23805, or to Monumental Baptist Church, mbcpetersburg.breezechms.com/give/online