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EDNA LELA MARTIN

Edna Lela Martin, 97, of the Fires Creek Community, Hayesville passed away on to her heavenly home Wednesday (February 21, 2007) at Murphy Medical Center Nursing Home after a brief illness.

She was born September 17, 1909 to the late Rev. Rufus Bert Ledford and Lillie Henson Ledford.

She attended the Fires Creek School and was the last surviving member of her class. Mrs. Martin was the oldest member of the Fires Creek Baptist Church.  She always enjoyed gardening, cooking, canning, and freezing and was known for her homemade cakes and fried chicken.  She loved and enjoyed her family, neighbors, and friends.

In addition to her husband, Rev. Verlon A. Martin, who passed away on October 19, 2003, she was preceded in death by two sisters, Alba Roach and Cordie Brooks and one brother, Floyd Ledford.

Surviving are two sons, Verlon Martin, Jr. and wife, Annie Lee and James Horace Martin and wife, Mary Jo all of Hayesville; her grandchildren, Cindy Gaddis and husband, Donald of Murphy, June York and husband, Jerry of Hayesville, and Barron Martin and wife, Amanda of Athens, GA;  five great grandchildren, Jill York, Todd Gaddis, Amanda Gaddis, Dylan Martin, and Madison Martin;  and many nieces and nephews.
 
Visitation at 12-1:45 Saturday afternoon at the Ivie Funeral Home in Hayesville with funeral services following there at 2:00 PM Saturday with the Revs. Dallas Crowder and Aud Brown officiating. Burial in Fires Creek Baptist Church Cemetery.  Pallbearers:  Barron Martin, Jerry York, Todd Gaddis, Donald Gaddis, Edward Roach, and Stephen Roach. Honorary pallbearers:  Lloyd Ledford, Douglas Johnson, and Aden Martin.
 
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made in memory of Edna Lela Martin to the Fires Creek Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, c/o Candy Kirby, 61 Roach Road, Hayesville, NC 28904.
 
Ivie Funeral Home, Hayesville in charge of all arrangements.

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