Lillie Martin

Lillie Mae Martin, beloved wife, sister, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, aunt and great-grandmother, died peacefully on February 26 at Elmcroft of Brentwood at the age of 103. She was comforted in her last days and hours by her devoted family and caregivers. Born October 2, 1910, daughter of Edgar O. Harris and Rosa Mary Ann (Hagewood) Harris, Lillie grew up in the loving company of her 10 siblings: Glendon, Granville, Imogene, Cecil, Ragsdale, Gilbert, Andrew Dean, Tom, Josephine and Harold. Lillie was the widow of Frank S. Shelton, who died at the age of 27, Eugene Martin, who died at age 72, and Roy Widener. She will be sorely missed by her brother, Tom Harris, and wife, Nell; her sister, Josephine Sanford; her brother, Harold Harris; her daughter-in-law, Peggy Martin; her grandchildren, Melodie Malone (Dan Frey), Melinda Wayland (Eddie), Charlie Malone, Megan Culig (Mike), Patrick Martin (Kathleen); her 13 great-grandchildren, and her many nieces and nephews. Lillie was predeceased by her three children, Elsie Marion Shelton, who died as an infant, Frank Gene Martin of Pensacola, FL and Bettye Shelton Malone of Brentwood, TN, who both died in 2012. Lillie will be missed by her long-time community and church, Mount Pleasant United Methodist, where she was an active church leader and choir member since her youth. Lillie lived a long and inspiring life as matriarch of her family, providing the loving center of a family that spread from Tennessee to Florida, Pennsylvania and Arizona. Lillie Mae reached out in meaningful ways to all who knew her, making each person feel acknowledged, valued and supported. She was a wonderful cook and homemaker, especially known for her biscuits and cakes. She lightened her work by singing all the while. In addition to singing, she loved to read, write poetry, play cards and give recitations which she remembered from childhood to her death. She and Eugene ran a beautiful family farm and provided a refuge and anchor for the family and community that will be remembered and cherished always. Pallbearers for Lillie will be Charlie Malone, Patrick Martin, Phil Sanford, Beckett Hay, Eddie Wayland, Mike Culig, Dan Frey and Tommy Armistead. Honorary pallbearers will be Tom Harris, Harold Harris, Ron Smithfield, David Smithfield, Chas Malone, Hayes Malone, Martin Culig, Houston Wayland, Phillip Sanford, Wade Harris, Shane Shetler, Steve Tisinger, George Johnson, Ed Alexander, Elmo Tillman, James Wilyard, Johnny Outlaw and Barry Coggins. Visitation will be at Sykes Funeral Home on Friday, February 28 from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. Services will be held on Saturday, March 1 at 11:30 a.m. at Mount Pleasant United Methodist Church, 1331 Bud Road, Clarksville, TN 37042 (Dotsonville Community) with visitation an hour beforehand. Pastor Carolyn Nobling will be officiating. Burial will follow in the Mt. Pleasant UMC Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Mount Pleasant United Methodist Church. (Picture taken 12/24/2013)