Martha Ann S. Ross

Martha Ann Sally Ross
Cary
Martha Ann Sally Ross was born October 2, 1924 and lived most of her life in Durham, NC. She passed away in the early morning hours of Wednesday November 21, 2012, at the age of 88, at the home of her daughter, Betsy Ross Mebane in Cary NC.
Her parents were the late May Lee Adcock and John Lea Sally.
She is survived by her daughter, Betsy Ross Mebane and special friend Ken Dye of Cary, NC; Patrick Donald Ross, II and wife Betty, of Old Fort, NC; Gary Stephen Ross and wife Lynne, of Durham, NC; David Keith Ross and wife Nona, of Cary, NC; grand and great-grandchildren Carey Lynne Eaton, husband Brian, daughter Kailey, of Rougemont, NC; Stefanie Leigh Derby, husband Kevin daughter McKenna and son Miles of Durham, NC; Christine Marie Ross and wife Katrina of Las Vegas, NV, Kelley Ann Ross of Long Island, NY, Erin Farrell Ross of Cary, NC. She is also survived by her sister Jennie Augusta Sally Wade of Mt. Pleasant, SC; sister-in-law, Betty Ruth Sally; and host of wonderful nieces, nephews, other relatives and many dear friends.
She was preceded in death by her granddaughter, Whitney Elizabeth Mebane; brothers, William Albert Sally and John Lea Sally II; sisters, Hilda Lee Sally Coble and Frances Marie Sally Keith Scott, and their husbands, Tom Coble, Robert Keith, Russell Scott, and John Wade.
Martha Ann was educated in Durham, NC. She graduated from Durham High School and attended Duke University, before marrying, Don Ross (deceased). She was a loving, caring, selfless mother who devoted her life to raising her four beloved children. She worked for 28 years with the American Red Cross in the Blood Donation program and Service to Military Families. She was a member of the Sara Barker Circle of The King's Daughters for over 60 years, as well as a life member of both the North Carolina Branch and International Order of the King's Daughters and Sons. She was president of Sara Barker Circle several times, held offices in Branch and local work, was an active member who loved and was beloved by The King's Daughters and its members. She was especially devoted and committed to Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ growing up in Watts Street Baptist Church, was baptized, married, and raised her children there. Martha Ann served as Sunday school teacher, choir member, deacon, volunteer receptionist and served on many committees. She was also the number one fan of the men's church softball team, led by her sons, always bringing homemade chocolate chip cookies for anyone who hit a homerun. Outside of church her many activities included bridge, bingo, croquet, crossword puzzle and jumbo from the daily newspaper, working in her yard, reading, playing the piano, writing poems for special occasions and to honor loved ones, playing with her grandchildren and socializing with her friends. She loved to cook her specialties which included pimento cheese, chocolate pound cake, potato salad, copper pennies and many other dishes.
A funeral service will be held at 1:30 pm on Saturday, November 24 at Watts St Baptist Church. Visitation will be held before the service from 12 noon – 1:15 pm in the Fellowship Hall at Watts St Baptist Church.
The interment will follow the service at Maplewood Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Durham Chapter of the American Red Cross, 4737 University Drive Durham, NC 27707 or Watts St. Baptist Church, 800 Watts St., Durham, NC 27701.
The Ross Family is under the care of Howerton & Bryan Funeral Home.
Online condolences may be submitted at www.howertonbryan.com, select obituaries.