Martha Payne Fletcher

Martha Payne Fletcher went to be with her Lord on June 23, 2025, in Issaquah, Washington. A longtime resident of Mercer Island, Washington, Martha was surrounded by her family as she departed, ending her brave fight with Alzheimer’s Disease.

Martha was a blessing to her family for 85 years. She was a devoted daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. She is survived by: her husband, Jim, with whom she shared 62 years of loving marriage, parenthood, and grand-parenting joy; her daughter, Kathy, Kathy’s husband, Jeff Rodgers, and Martha’s two loving grandsons, Nick and Drew Rodgers; and her son, Steven, and his wife, Shelley Fletcher.

Martha was born April 2, 1940, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, to William Jefferson and Juanita Shore Payne. She grew up there with her beloved sister, Eleanor Payne Graham. They both graduated from Reynolds High School in Winston-Salem and Greensboro College in Greensboro, North Carolina. At Reynolds High, Martha was a cheerleader, a majorette, was active in various clubs, and played field hockey. Martha studied childhood education at Greensboro College and obtained her teaching degree.

After college, Martha took her teaching degree to Virginia Beach, Virginia, where she taught third grade and lived with some girlfriends only a few houses from the beach. There she met Jim Fletcher, an A-4 Navy pilot stationed at Naval Air Station Oceana in Virginia Beach. They married in 1964 and enjoyed their time in the Navy, where they made lifelong friends. After Jim took a job as an airline pilot with Northwest Airlines, Martha and Jim moved to Bellevue, Washington, in 1966, where both of their children were born.

In 1972, Martha and Jim moved to Mercer Island, Washington, where they raised their children and remained for five decades. Martha and her family attended Holy Trinity Lutheran Church on Mercer Island, where she taught Sunday school and supported the Rotary Club. Martha was active in her children’s school and other activities, and she volunteered her time to a variety of groups and interests. Martha enjoyed snow skiing in winter and boating in the San Juan Islands and into Canada with her family in summer, as well as tennis in her younger years, and golf later on, always in the company of good friends. Martha was endlessly creative, from making unique and memorable Halloween costumes for her kids to dabbling in DIY projects before the internet and YouTube existed to provide instructions or inspiration. She enjoyed working in her yard and was an excellent cook. Martha hosted many meals and social events for family and friends, taking particular joy in hosting during the holidays. She took great care in creating a loving home for her family and where all who entered felt welcome. Most of all, Martha loved being wife to Jim and mom to Kathy and Steve.

Martha’s grandchildren, Nick and Drew, were a blessed new chapter in her life beginning in 1999. First in Southern California, and later in Bellevue, Martha spent countless precious hours in her role as “Grammy.” She was always present at birthdays, school events, orchestra concerts, soccer matches, flag football games, cross-country races, and track meets. She delighted in bringing favorite dishes to her grandsons as she stayed up to date on their latest adventures – details of which she would proudly share with friends and relatives, and she never hesitated to join them in fun.

Martha always had many friends and enjoyed spending time with them, whether that was taking trips with friends or chatting over coffee at the kitchen table. She was never shy about talking to anyone, was always ready to laugh, and was known for her North Carolina accent. She never hesitated to help a friend or family member, whether it was a simple task or in a time of need, and she delighted in remembering others with thoughtful gifts and genuine wishes at special times in their lives. Martha was never idle, whether working at home, in her yard, caring for loved ones, or taking time to help someone or brighten their day. Her tireless energy, good humor, and caring soul were an inspiration to those around her.

Martha leaves behind a legacy of immense, unfailing love and cherished family memories.