Mary Ashley Norwood Martin of Charlotte, NC answered the Lord’s call to “Come home” on Tuesday, June 10, 2025. Originally from Brevard, NC, she was 96 years old. Her surviving family members are her three daughters: Reesa Martin of Orlando, FL; Susan Ashley Gurley of Belmont, NC; and Nancy Breithaupt and her husband B. Farrell Breithaupt of Belmont, NC. “Adopted” through love are grandchildren Rachael Johnson Mercer and husband Quillian Mercer of Macon GA, their children Payton, Owen, Nathan, and Melinda Kaye of Macon, GA; Grandchildren also adopted through love are Andrew Johnson and Adam Johnson.
Mary was preceded in death by parents Harold Ernest. Norwood and Rosa Olivia Wiggs Norwood; her husband of 56 years Milton Reese Martin; son David Reese Martin (2 years old); brother Robert Norwood of Florence, SC; and sisters Hilda Marshall and Susan Colston, both from Brevard NC; and son-in-law Michael J. Gurley.
She was a wife, homemaker, mother, piano teacher, organist, children’s choir director, and kindergarten teacher. She graduated from Brevard High School in 1945, graduated from Brevard “Junior” College in 1947, and attended UNC Greensboro in 1948, having studied music and piano. She loved music, especially classical and hymns. After Dad joined First Baptist Church in Brevard, NC, Mom played hymns “without looking” so she could look to the side and watch for that handsome Milt Martin to come in the room!
She was an avid reader until the end of her life. She especially enjoyed historical novels. She was a member of First Baptist Church in Mount Holly, NC, but once homebound loved “being a Presbyterian” (her grandfather was a Presbyterian minister) and faithfully watched the Charlotte Presbyterian televised services.
We would like to especially like to thank the care and assistance of the Bayada Staff and the VIA Hospice group for their kindness and care of our sweet and sassy Mom.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, June 21 at 10:00 AM at the First Baptist Church, 300 South Main Street, Mount Holly, NC 28120, immediately followed in the sanctuary by a service to celebrate her life at 11:00 AM. A private graveside service will take place at a later date in Brevard, NC.
Live Streaming of the service will be available via YouTube, First Baptist Church Mount Holly NC.
Donations may be made to the First Baptist Church in Mt. Holly, NC to the Music Ministry or Library, the Mount Holly Community Relief Organization (“CRO”) 2120 Spring Street/ Mount Holly 28120; or Samaritan’s Purse / PO Box 3000 / Boone, NC 28607.
Condolences may be submitted at www.forestlawnwest.com.
