Martha Ann Harrison

June 28, 1935 – December 11, 2014

Martha King Harrison passed away Thursday, December 11, 2014 following a lengthy illness. She was 79. Martha was born Martha Ann King on June 28, 1935 to Maude Johnson King and John King at Itta Bena, Mississippi.

There was no one like Martha and people who came to know her soon recognized that she was singular in personality and one-of-a-kind. She was a beautiful woman and generous to all in need with her time and counsel. She had a strong sense of purpose, values, and integrity, and expected the same from the people in her life.

Her life’s work took place in diverse fields. She was a highly creative artist who worked tirelessly many years as a painter, sculptor, and jewelry and fabric designer. She owned and operated Martha’s Vineyard on McKinney Avenue in the Dallas antique district and later a booth at Forestwood Antique Mall at Inwood and Forest Lane until her illness limited her activity in 1996. She was not only a talented artist and entrepreneur, she made it her business to learn the stock market from her early work at a brokerage firm and became an astute investor.

Martha had a love of nature and a vision for beauty that escapes most of us. She could gather leaves, dried flower pods, robin’s nests, and gravel and create something beautiful in a frame, ceramic piece, ironwork or piece of jewelry.

Those of us who were lucky to be part of her life will remember her generous heart, her strong will, her wit and laughter, and her indomitable spirit. The illness that slowly crippled her body these past 14 years could never conquer her sense of humor and that indomitable spirit.

Martha was preceded in death by her mother, Maude King Beaty and father, John King; brother, William O King; sister, Norma King Logan. She is survived by her sister, Patsy Thomas and husband Richard; nephew, Paul Thomas; niece, Paige Thomas; niece, Trudy Logan Torrey and husband Allen; nephew, John Logan and wife Bettye; nephew, Leonard Logan; nephew, Clifford Logan and wife Linda, and numerous great nieces and nephews.

Her family would like to extend their appreciation to Martha’s friend and caregiver, Roy Terry, for his thirteen years of care on her behalf. Roy made her final wish to remain in her home possible, and we are grateful to him. We also would like to thank her many home health caregivers and the staff of Faith Presbyterian Hospice for their excellent care and concern.