Martha Lou Edmonds Absher was born on October 15, 1930 to Fannie Starkey and Charles Harvey Edmonds, the middle of their nine children. She graduated from Susan Moore High School and attended Athens College. After college she taught elementary school in Blount County where she met her future husband, Farris Ray Absher. After their marriage they lived in the Birmingham area where they raised their family. February 5 they were married for 67 years.
Martha was an avid gardener and earned her green thumb growing up on her parent’s farm. She was a member of a local garden club winning several awards and delighted in sharing her knowledge and plants with others. She was a marvelous cook who rarely used a recipe or measuring spoon. She could make a feast in a few minutes and holiday meals were amazing. You would never go away from her table hungry or without one of your favorite foods. Her specialties were baked beans, candied yams, pecan pie and fried apple pies.
Her favorite holiday was Christmas and she made it magical for all the children in her life. She collected Hallmark keepsake ornaments for over 30 years and decorated every nook and cranny of her home. The day after Christmas she was always up early to attend sales to gather more angels, Santas and lights.
Most of all she loved her family. She remembered events in her own life by what her children and grandchildren were doing during that period. She lived her life helping others and was there for them whenever she was needed. She was an angel on earth.
She is survived by her husband Farris; three children and their spouses, Joan and Robert McLean, Janet and Mark Herring, and Barry and Nina Absher; her five grandchildren Destiny Jay, Chevy and Ellie Absher, Tori and Josh Riddle, Sohn and Ashley McLean and Kari McLean; and five great grandchildren, Kyrstin Jay, Zakary Jay, Sofia Absher, Macy McLean and Mabry McLean; and three siblings, Faye Whitlow, Ruth Miller and Frank Edmonds.
She was preceded in death by her parents and siblings Mildred Parrish, J.E. (Bill) Edmonds, Elmer Edmonds, Kathleen Newman, and C. H. Edmonds (Junior).
A celebration of life visitation for Martha will be held Wednesday, February 6, 2019 from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at Gardendale First Baptist Church, 316 Mountain Crest Parkway, Gardendale, AL 35071. A celebration of life service will occur Wednesday, February 6, 2019 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM, 316 Mountain Crest Parkway, Gardendale, AL 35071. A burial will occur at Oakwood Memorial Gardens, 2100 Moncrief Road, Gardendale, Alabama 35071.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ridoutsgardendalechapel.com for the ABSHER family.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18