Martha Lynn Thompson Lollar Yates

Martha left this world for that place which Christ has prepared for her on January 8, 2015. Born in the little town of Piper in Bibb County, Alabama, March 23, 1917, the second child of Ben McRae Thompson and Annie Merle Wilcox Thompson, Martha Lynn lived all of her adult life in Birmingham. She attended public schools in Piper and in Birmingham before attending Birmingham Southern College where she made life-long friendships as a member of Alpha Omicron Pi sorority.

Martha Lynn married William B. Lollar in 1937 and was widowed in 1956. She then became president of the family photofinishing and photo supply business, Lollar’s Cameras. During this period, she was active in photographic industry trade associations, serving in several capacities including Secretary Treasurer of the Master Photo Dealers and Finishers Association, Southern Division. Martha Lynn also received awards from the Association and the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce for photo delivery packaging designs that featured pictures of Birmingham landmarks.

She was a long-time member of both McCoy Methodist Church and The First United Methodist Church of Birmingham. She was a member of the American Association of University Women. She is also listed in the Library of Alabama lives.

Martha Lynn was predeceased by her parents, her sister, Louise Landry of Mobile, her brother, McRae Thompson, Jr., and her husband William B. Lollar. In 1963, she married William A. Yates and was blessed to be welcomed into an additional loving family. Bill and Martha Lynn enjoyed traveling throughout the United States and abroad, but their particular favorite joy was watching sunsets in Laguna Beach, Florida. She was especially generous in sharing her Laguna Beach cottage, affectionately known by those who love it as Martha’s Vineyard.

She was also predeceased by her husband, William A. Yates, who passed away in 1997, and her stepson, William A. Yates, Jr. She is survived by her son, Bill Lollar and Mary Ann, her daughter, Lynn Lollar Huey and Wallace, stepson, Rod Yates and Anita, stepson, Stephen Yates and Pam, 12 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren, 2 great great grandchildren, and by many beloved friends, including the members of “The 20 Club” and her bridge club, which first began shuffling in 1940.

Services for Martha Lynn will be held on Monday, January 12, 2015 at 2:00 PM at the Elmwood Chapel. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service, after which she will be buried at Elmwood Cemetery. The family requests that those who would like to send a memorial consider donating to Kirkwood by the River, 3605 Ratliff Road, Birmingham, AL, 35210, where the staff bestowed many kindnesses to her.