Martha Connor Nanney, 84, of Woodstock (formerly of Spindale), has gone to glory. She went to be with her Father in heaven on July 30, 2009.

Martha was the daughter of the late Claude Connor and Sally Bright Connor. She was born in Rutherford County near Avondale, NC, on October 2, 1924. She became a Christian at the age of 12 and joined Alexander Mills Baptist Church. She was a graduate of Cool Springs High School in Forest City in 1942. Her Latin teacher, Mrs. Broudas Moore, and pastor’s wife, Mrs. Elizabeth Blanton, recognized her capabilities and encouraged her to go to college. Martha used every opportunity to work and save money for college at the cotton mill, dime store, and the college dining room and library. Martha attended Gardner-Webb College for two years and graduated from Carson-Newman College in 1949 with a Bachelor’s degree.

After college graduation, Martha taught school for two years at the Valdese Elementary School. She married Joseph Roy (Joe) Nanney, Jr. on June 10, 1950, in a double ceremony with his sister, Margie, and Bill Metcalf. The two couples also celebrated their 50th anniversary together in June 2000. Martha became a pastor’s wife when Joe earned degrees in Divinity and Theology while serving as pastor of Lick Branch Baptist Church in Deputy, IN. Martha was a faithful minister’s wife and church leader as Joe was called to pastor First Baptist of Sumner, MS, where they served for five years before moving to First Baptist of Itta Bena, MS, for eight years. Joe and Martha then moved to First Baptist of Graceville, FL, for eight years before serving at North Palm Baptist in Hialeah, FL, for thirteen years. Joe and Martha retired from Florida in 1988 and moved back home to Spindale, NC. They served as pastor and wife at Rock Springs Baptist Church for seven years.

Martha is survived by their three daughters: Martha Jean Howe (Jeff) of New Gloucester, ME; Barbara Ann Nanney of Peachtree City, GA; and Jo Lynn Hirsh (Mike) of Woodstock, GA. Joe’s two sisters, Margie (Bill) Metcalf of Union Mills, NC, and Lucille Koon of Harbeson, DE, and her sister-in-law, Juanita Cole Nanney of Miami, FL, also survive. Martha was preceded in death by her two sisters Elizabeth Humphries and Virginia Cone and brother, Leonard Connor. Other survivors include Martha’s grandchildren, all fifteen of them: Scott and Ryan Howe, Katie Hirsh Khokhar (Jeremiah), John, Ben (Lauren), Abe, Lydia Hirsh Easling (Ben), Anna Hirsh, Isaac, Matthew, Rebekah, Nathan, Elijah, Judah, and Joseph Hirsh. Martha also has six great-grandchildren: Jaden Khokhar, Ella Khokhar, Hayden Hirsh, Gabriel Hirsh, Konrad Easling and one pre-born child.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 Monday, August 3, 2009, at First Baptist Church of Spindale. Burial will be at Round Hill Baptist Church Cemetery in Union Mills immediately following the service. The family will receive visitors Sunday afternoon, 3:00 â€" 5:00 pm at Crowe’s Mortuary and Chapel in Rutherfordton.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the general fund of First Baptist Church in Spindale, 105 E. Wilson Street, Spindale, NC, 28160.