Martha Jones Hyles

Martha Jones Hyles, passed away in her Marianna, FL, home in the wee hours of October 7, 2025, surrounded by the love of her family after a full life of 87 years.
Martha's story began on April 4, 1938, when she was born to the late Rev. RK and Mrs. Leila Mae Tate Jones as the youngest in a crowded house of 13 children. Martha's zest for life and desire to be useful showed itself throughout her school days as she became a cheerleader, ROTC sponsor, school newspaper reporter, volleyball team member, forward for her high school basketball team, 2nd baseman in softball, Sr. Class poet, President of the Methodist Youth Fellowship, an active member in the Art Club, Glee Club, Drama Club, Library Club, Beta Club, Future Homemakers of America, Future Teachers of America, and rounded it all off when selected as the Christmas Queen in her senior year. Upon graduating from Opelika High School in 1956, she moved on to Montevallo University as an English major and Speech and Theater minor, before marrying the love of her life, Rev. Dr. Frank Thomas Hyles Jr., on June 12, 1959, and moving to Atlanta where she graduated in 1960 from Georgia State University.
Within six short years, Martha and Frank had 4 children, with whom she stayed home until Luverne City Schools came calling, asking her to teach. It was then that she discovered her life's big calling (after being a pastor's wife and mother), which was teaching. Over the years she taught all grades from K-8 and became Teacher of the Year in two different school systems (Andalusia, AL, and Mobile, AL) before she retired in 1998 after almost 30 years. But Martha was not done yet! After her husband of 53 years passed away in 2013, she took over his church, Altha UMC, as pastor, and there she remained as their faithful leader until the day of her death.
In addition to her husband and parents, Martha was preceded in death by 11 of her siblings, Haniel Jones, Jedidah Jones, Aziel Jones, Lael Jones, Phoebe Johnston, Matred Perdue, Joel Jones, David Jones, Mary Taff, Sarah Mae Cosby, and Ruth Edna Sims; and one son-in-law, Jessie Culverhouse. One sister, Lois Holt, is still living to represent the Original Jones clan.
The remaining living legacy of her life are her four beloved children, Karen Culverhouse, Marcus (Anna) Hyles, Kathreen (Mike) Hoppner, and Jennifer (French) Salter; her nine adored grandchildren, Christopher Culverhouse, Lex McLelland, Dori McLowski, Joshua (Janie) Wyld, Bayleigh (Joe) Cardinal, Caleb (Kara) Hyles, Jackson McLelland, Summer Culverhouse, Trent (Jessica) Salter; and seven precious great-grandchildren, Justin, Findlay, Graham, Roman, Ainslie, Kiyoko, and Asher.
The family will welcome friends at Altha United Methodist Church, 25503 N. HWY 71, Altha, Florida, 32421, for visitation on Saturday, October 11, 2025 at 10 a.m. with a celebration of life service to follow at 11 a.m.
Arrangements are entrusted to the Lambe Family at Marianna Chapel Funeral Home.
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