Martha Brawley

Martha Elizabeth Sikes Brawley, 96, died peacefully on Monday morning, Sept 19, 2016 in a room filled with soft music, flowers, and the love of her adoring family. She died at home across the road from where she was born on February 3RD 1920 to Nora Bell McDaniel and Martin Van Buren Sikes. She married the love of her life, Archie B. Brawley on October 26, 1935. They were happily married 51 years.

Martha was preceded in death by her husband Archie B. Brawley; infant son Paul Martin Brawley; brother, Lee Sikes; and sister, Betty Kluttz. She has two sisters, Evelyn Russ and Margie Waddell, both of Concord.

A seamstress by trade, she was a lifetime member of Cold Water Lutheran Church, serving as a Sunday School teacher, Bible School teacher, religiously attended the Wednesday Night Bible Study, and also the Maggie Cress Senior Citizens club. She sang in the church choir up until the time of her illness. Martha was also an active civic and community leader well into her 90s. She served as president of The Eastern Cabarrus Historical Society, The Mount Pleasant High School PTA, as well as numerous posts on the local, state, and national level of The Extension Community Association, receiving The Lifetime Achievement Award in 2006. She was a lifelong member and officer of the Boger Home Extension Club. Martha was president of the Southern District of Women in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, was on the Board of Directors of The Lutheran Family Services, a proud member of The Saint John’s Grange, receiving Granger of the Year in both 1986 and 2010, received the A&P stores NC Extension Homemakers Leadership Award in 1971, as well as the first Clyde Propst Memorial Award from the Cabarrus County Fair. She delivered Meals on Wheels well into her late 80’s, and also was a volunteer for the ARC. She was well known for her Minnie Pearl impression.

Martha Brawley has two daughters: Barbara Jo Love, and husband Troy Glenn Love of Concord; and Joyce Elaine Helms, and husband Ira Gene Helms of Greenville, SC. She has five grandchildren: Betsy Love and husband Kevin Moran, Janice Hagan, Amy Castor and husband Tim Castor, all of Concord; Ira Gene Helms II of Greenville, SC, and Dr. Jeffrey Helms of Atlanta, Ga. She also has 4 great grandchildren: Jordan Sneed, Zachary Castor and Zoe Castor of Concord, and Courtney Sneed of Greenville, SC.

The family will receive friends at Hartsell Funeral Home, Concord from 6:00pm to 8:00pm on Wednesday, September 21 2016. Funeral services will be held at Cold Water Lutheran Church on Thursday, September 22, 2016 at 3:00pm. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.

Memorials may be directed to Cold Water Lutheran Church, 1725 Gold Hill Road, Concord, NC.

Hartsell Funeral Home of Concord is serving the Brawley family.