Martha McLemore

Martha Kathryn Berry McLemore, 94, passed away peacefully on Saturday, January 25, 2025 surrounded by her loving family. The daughter of Homer Cruse and Edna Lewis Berry, she grew up in North Birmingham and attended Phillips High School before attending Alabama College, State College for Women (University of Montevallo). She married Ernest Grady McLemore in 1950 before moving to Bluff Park.

A devoted wife and mother of four, she was also very active in her church, Bluff Park UMC. She taught children in Sunday School, then went on to teach her beloved Friendship Class for many years. She was also a member of the Joy Circle. Having learned piano from the age of 3, she used her talent in several of the Sunday School classes each Sunday morning. She loved to make a joyful noise! She exemplified her faith in all she did.

Martha enjoyed the friendship and intellectual stimulation of her membership in the Nina Literary Club of which she was a member for 50 years. Her Mother was a founding member of the club. She also served on the Women’s Club House Board working tirelessly in all positions.

One of Martha’s greatest joys and comforts were the women of the Rosebud’s Bridge Club. Over the many years together these women became her fast and best friends and after they stopped playing bridge it became a monthly support group for raising families and taking care of the “Thorns” AKA, the husbands. While many are already deceased, these ladies continue in our hearts as stalwarts from our childhood never to be forgotten.

Mom and Dad loved to travel. In 1972, our family of 6 toured the country for six weeks in a motor home. Being teenagers, we complained about being away from friends, but looking back now, it was a highlight of our childhood and the memories are priceless. After that trip they purchased their own motor home, and drove it to Alaska and Nova Scotia as well as all over the US. Mom was the driver as Dad navigated. They made a great team throughout their marriage.

Martha was preceded in death by her husband Ernest, who affectionately called her “Kitten” throughout their marriage. She is survived by her sister Judith Berry Tanner whom she loved dearly. She leaves a large grieving family of four children and their spouses: Derienne Davis (Butch); Melissa Kimbrell (Parker); Julie Huff and Cruse McLemore (Jean). She had 9 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren. She was called Beamer by the grands and she really did shine. She taught us the true meaning of unconditional love.

Visitation with the family will be held at Bluff Park United Methodist Church from 1:00 to 2:00 pm on Saturday, February 1, 2025. Funeral services will start at 2:00 pm.

The family would like to thank the staff and residents of Town Village, her home for the past 15 years. We are indebted to all of them for the care, attention and love that they showed to her. We are also very grateful to the medical teams at UAB St. Vincent’s Hospital MICU, as well as those at St. Martin’s in the Pines Nursing Home Rehabilitation Center and Hospice Care (Compassus). These medical professionals were attentive and compassionate, and they made her passing peaceful and comfortable. In lieu of flowers, the family requests any donations be made to Bluff Park United Methodist Church.