Mrs. Martha Alma Stirewalt

Born on September 16, 1928 in Troutman, North Carolina, she is preceded in death by her parents, Anna Belle Harwell and Vaughn Pierce Arthurs; her siblings, Dovie Lou Arthurs Kluttz, Velma Naomi Arthurs, Troy Jacob Arthurs, Mildred Bernice Arthurs Lackey and daughter Anna Christine Stirewalt.

She is survived by her husband of 59 years, James Council Stirewalt, children Lisa Ruth Stirewalt Dove, John David Stirewalt, Emily Grace Stirewalt, grandchildren James Dalton Dove, William DeLon Dove, Beau Arthurs Dove, George Sawyer Dove, Hannah Michelle Stirewalt and Clara Grace Stirewalt and sisters Treva Ann Arthurs Hargett and Elva Sue Arthurs Reavis along with numerous nieces and nephews.

A graduate of Troutman High School, Mrs. Stirewalt received a Bachelor of Education from Appalachian State University. Over a 34-year career in public education, Mrs. Stirewalt taught at Howard Creek Elementary, J.F. Hurley Elementary and Enochville Elementary. She was a Teacher of the Year honoree and devoted to the study of North Carolina, Iredell County and Rowan County history.

A self-taught artist, Mrs. Stirewalt produced many works in chalk, watercolor, pen and oil. She enjoyed nature, bird watching, gardening, playing the piano, family sing-alongs and travel. Her love of North Carolina lighthouses and Smokey Mountain vistas was piqued by frequent trips with her husband. Mrs. Stirewalt was a former congregation president of the Lutheran Women and a member at Haven Lutheran Church in Salisbury, North Carolina.

The funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, August 30, 2014 at the church where Mrs. Stirewalt and her husband were married - Mt. Moriah Lutheran Church 750 Mt. Moriah Church Road, China Grove, NC with Rev. Edward Harper officiating. The family will receive guests from 6:00 – 8:00 PM on Friday, August 29, 2014 at Linn-Honeycutt Funeral Home in China Grove, North Carolina. Memorial contributions may be sent to Lutheran Homes at Trinity Oaks 820 Klumac Road, Salisbury NC 28144 and the Alzheimer Foundation of America 322 Eighth Avenue, 7th Floor, New York, New York 10001 Online condolences may be made to the family at www.linnhoneycuttfuneralhome.com

ngements under the direction of Linn-Honeycutt Funeral Home, China Grove, NC.