Lida Virginia Martin THOMAS

Lida Virginia Martin Thomas passed away on October 8, 2013, in Roanoke, after a prolonged illness. Lida, whose name means "beloved by all," was born on June 15, 1940, in Baltimore, Md. to Ruby Virginia Rumpf Martin and Samuel Morris Martin Jr. Lida was proud of her family genealogy. Her grandfather, Samuel Morris Martin Sr., was the owner of the first dry goods store in Salem. Martinsville was named after her fourth great-grandfather, General Joseph Martin, the famous Revolutionary War hero who made peace with the Cherokees. A Virginia state park, Martins Station/Wilderness Road State Park, honors General Martin. Her father's brother was William Knox Martin, of Salem, who was famous for being the first man to fly over the Andes Mountains. William Knox Martin's 90 year old son, Knox Martin, is an internationally renowned artist who lives in New York City and continues to teach at the New York Art Institute. At different times Lida and Knox lived on Broad Street in the mansard roof home on Broad Street known later to many Salemites as the Weber House.
Surviving Lida are her husband, Richard "Red" Thomas; her only child, Anne Lynn Thomas Young; and her two grandchildren, Nicholas Justus Olinger and Hannah Virginia Young. Also surviving are cousins, Antonia and Alexandra Wolff of Kent Island, Md., and Lynn Davis, of Roanoke. Special friends are Ann and John Turner and their children, Kelly and Jonathan; Barbara Tate, Barbara Lloyd, and Barbara Thompson.
Lida was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and had a great love for her church. She also loved animals, and over the years she rescued many feral cats. She was a talented artist who loved her family. Her hobbies included genealogy and antiquing.
A special thank you to Good Samaritan Hospice: Sandy (aka Nancy), Beth and Kathy and to RN Jack Siar of the Palliative Care Unit at Carilion Clinic.
A memorial service will be held on Sunday, October 13, 2013, at 5 p.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints on 6311 Wayburn Drive, Salem, VA 24153. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to the Roanoke Valley SPCA, 1340 Baldwin Avenue, Roanoke, VA 24012.
"May Angels Twine for Thee, A Wreath of Immortality"
(excerpt from Lida's grandmother's childhood house guest book)