Martha Ann Whitaker

Martha Ann Lamb Whitaker, age 84, passed away peacefully after a period of declining health on February 5, 2026, at Mission Hospital in Asheville, NC. She was born in Henderson County to the late Mary Dora Foster Lamb and Carroll Leroy Lamb, Sr., on July 5, 1941, and was the oldest of three children. She was married to the late Benjamin (Benny) Lee Whitaker, Sr., for 60 years and resided in Mills River.

Martha graduated from Hendersonville High School in the Class of 1959. She retired from AT&T as a supervisor after 30 years of service and was a member of the Telephone Pioneers of America. After her retirement she enjoyed working on the switchboard at Advent Health. She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Hendersonville for many years.

Martha came from a family that recognized the value of community service and patriotism. She dedicated herself to veteran services by serving in leadership roles in the American Legion Auxiliary at the local and state levels for many years. She was the NC State Auxiliary President in 1990-1991.

She enjoyed genealogy research hence she participated as a member of several genealogical and historical organizations. She was a charter member of Mary Coffin Starbuck Chapter of the Colonial Dames XVII Century.

In 1996 she became a charter member of Abraham Kuykendall Chapter NSDAR through patriot Samuel King VA. As usual she became actively involved serving as the first Recording Secretary. For many years she served the local DAR chapter as Registrar assisting many ladies with their applications.

Martha is survived by her three children: Benjamin Lee Whitaker, Jr. (Malinda), Mary Elizabeth (Beth) Whitaker, and David Carroll Whitaker (Tricia) all of Mills River. She is also survived by her two siblings: Carolyn Lamb Borman (Chuck) of Hendersonville, and Carroll (Chip) L. Lamb, Jr. (Trish) of Southlake, TX.

Grandchildren were very special to Martha and most of them lived near her in Mills River. They are Krista Backs (Thomas), Brandy Whitaker, Charlotte Hanks (Caleb), Josh Taylor, Justin Whitaker (Brittany), Laura Ritter (Zack), Carissa Roush (Trent), and Tori Robinson (Dustin). She was blessed with 11 great-grandchildren.

There will be a private family burial service at the Whitaker-Moore Cemetery.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, March 1, 2026, at 1:00 at the American Legion Post 77, 216 4th Avenue West, Hendersonville, NC.

The family requests that any memorial donations in Martha's memory be made to The Veterans Healing Farm in Mills River, 138 Kimzey Rd, Mills River, NC 28759, or by clicking here. This was a special organization to her. The contact information can be found on their website www.veteranshealingfarm.org.

Forest Lawn Funeral Home is handling the arrangements for the Whitaker family and online condolences may be made by visiting forestlawnhendersonville.com or by clicking here.