Martha Vandiver Birchfield

Martha went on to graduate from Auburn University in 1958 where she was a member of Kappa Delta sorority. She taught Home Economics at Buckhorn High School for over 30 years. Martha and her husband, Harold, raised their children in New Market and lived there until moving to Huntsville in 2004. She was a lifelong member of New Market Presbyterian Church.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Thomas Harold Birchfield; parents, Raymond Franklin Vandiver, Sr. and Annie Mae Orman Vandiver; brothers and sisters-in-law Ray and Martha Vandiver and Jack and Barbara Vandiver; niece, Mary Lynn Carlton, and nephew, Frank Vandiver.

She is survived by her children, Dixie Skinner and husband, Rusty, of Mt. Sterling, Kentucky, and Tom Birchfield of Huntsville, Alabama; her grandchildren, Anna Claire Skinner Gentry and husband, Jordan, of Lexington, Kentucky, Mary Ellen Skinner of Lexington, Kentucky, Lindsay Birchfield of Birmingham, Alabama, and Thomas Birchfield and wife, Miranda, of Charlotte, North Carolina; sister-in-law, Linda Powers of Auburn, Alabama; several nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.

To Marilyn Moore, thank you for not only being Martha’s caregiver, but also a trusted friend to her these past several years. Our family is forever thankful for you.

The family would also like to extend their deepest gratitude to the care provided to Martha by the doctors, nurses, and staff at SportsMed, Crestwood Hospital, Huntsville Hospital, and Huntsville Hospital Hospice Family Care until her passing.

Pallbearers include Thomas Birchfield, Jordan Gentry, Brad Meadows, John Vandiver, Phil Vandiver, David Thorpe, Carson Meadows, Beau Meadows, Jackson Meadows, Bannon Thorpe, David Thorpe, Robert Thorpe, Bryan Vandiver, Keith Vandiver, Franklin Vandiver, Will Vandiver, Tommy Pelto, and Drake Reeder.

Visitation will be at Valhalla Funeral Home on Monday, February 2, 2026 from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm with a graveside service to follow.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Huntsville Hospital Hospice Family Care via the Huntsville Hospital Foundation.