Martha Ann Helton

83. Martha was born on January 9, 1942, in Jacksboro, Tennessee. She was a faithful believer in

our Lord Jesus Christ and a member of West Haven Baptist Church for over 50 years. She lived

every day to the fullest and saw each day as a gift from God.

She studied accounting and graduated from Draughon’s Junior College. After graduation she

relocated to Washington D.C. and for 2 years worked for the Bureau of the Navy. She then

married her beloved husband George and moved to Knoxville, TN where she stayed home to

raise her four children. When her youngest daughter Julie started school, she began working for

Knox County Schools at West High School. It brought Martha so much joy working at West. She

was a cashier in the cafeteria and got to know many students, teachers, and coaches over the

years. Students and staff knew her as a compassionate person who cared for the people she

served, and she spread joy to everyone around her. She retired after more than 20 years.

Martha was blessed with a large and loving family. She was married to her loving husband

George for over 61 years and was blessed with four wonderful children, twelve grandchildren

and six great-grandchildren who lovingly called her Nana. She enjoyed many family vacations,

reading, hiking, and tending to her garden. She and George were blessed to spend winters in

Florida for over 20 years. She was known as a social butterfly who never met a stranger. She

genuinely cared about people. Even when she went to the grocery store for a few items she

would be gone for a long time because she talked to so many people along the way. Her favorite

pastime was having fun with family and friends. She used to say she just wants everyone to sit

and talk and laugh. She loved to bring a smile to people’s faces and always knew what to say to

get a laugh. She loved her family fiercely. She was a strong woman of faith and was looking

forward to seeing her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ face to face.

Martha is preceded in death by her husband, George Helton, and parents, Eliza Queener Goins

and Riley Ross Goins. She was the youngest of eight children and is also preceded in death by

sisters Bernice, Thelma, and Mary, and brothers Byron, Gilbert, Warren and Hope Goins, and

son-in-law Charlie Raney. She is survived by her sons Todd (wife Mary) and Terry (wife Renee);

her daughters Lisa Raney, and Julie Garren (husband Dwayne); her grandchildren Alex (husband

Andrew), Jon, Zach, Sara, Torrey, Thatcher, Kara (husband Ian), Brad (wife Kaylie), Brett,

Ethan, Evan, and Elizabeth; her great-grandchildren Andrew Jr., Knox, Riley, Judah, Lily, and

Alyssa; and many nieces and nephews.

A visitation for Martha will be held Saturday, March 29, 2025 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at

Weaver Funeral Home, 5815 Western Ave, Knoxville, TN 37921, followed by a “Celebration of

Life” at 7:00 PM. A private family graveside service will be held at a later date.

.