Martha Stewart Geyer

TUSCALOOSA | Martha Stewart Geyer, age 86, of Tuscaloosa, died May 21, 2014 at Hospice of West Alabama. Services will be 11 a.m. Friday, May 23, 2014, at Sunset Funeral Home with Bro. Allan Roggli officiating. Graveside services will be 2 p.m. Saturday, May 24, 2014, at Old Zion Cumberland Presbyterian Church Cemetery in Sparta, Tenn. Visitation will be Friday one hour prior to services at the funeral home. Sunset Funeral Home, a Dignity Memorial Provider, is directing.She was preceded in death by her husband, James Mayberry Geyer and her parents, Dan C. and Kate Mays Stewart.Survivors include her son, James Daniel Geyer (Stephenie Dillard) of Tuscaloosa; and grandchildren, Sydney Katherine Geyer and Emery Elizabeth Geyer, both of Tuscaloosa.Born and raised in Chattanooga, Tenn., Martha married James M. Geyer in 1958 and spent the early years of their marriage traveling across the country and the world as Jim's career required. Always the supportive wife, she joined the American Society of Mechanical Engineers Auxiliary, serving several terms as president. She was a wonderful mother, often filling the role of mother and father as Jim's job often required extended periods of travel. Martha and Jim spent 54 wonderful years together until his death in 2013.Martha was a founding member of the Brainerd Presbyterian Church in Chattanooga, Tenn. As an avid genealogist, she authored several books on the history of the Stewart, Mays and Geyer families, was an active member of local state and national organizations including the DAR and National Genealogy Society, and was a course instructor at Samford University.Finally settling in Shelby County, she helped establish the North Shelby County Fire and Emergency Medical District, serving as its president for over 20 years.In 2010, they moved to Pine Valley Retirement Community to be close to family.Above all, she was a devoted and loving wife, mother and grandmother, firm in her Christian faith.Honorary pallbearers are Jeff Laubenthal MD, Lacy Quarles and staff, Sakina Kamal MD, Warren Holly MD and staff, Hospice of West Alabama, Trish Patterson MD, The firemen and staff of the North Shelby County Fire and Emergency Medical District, The Echoes, the staff and residents of Pine Valley, the members of the ASME Auxiliary, The Loose Papers Group of the Alabama Genealogical Society, the staff of Amedisys Home Health, and the physicians and staff at Alabama Neurology and Sleep Medicine.In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Hospice of West Alabama.Condolences may be offered at www.sunsetbrown-funeral.com.