Martha Harrill Deal

Martha Harrill Deal of Statesville, NC passed away peacefully on September 18, 2019, surrounded by her family. Martha’s devoted love for her family and friends along with her kind, loving heart will be sorely missed.

Martha Jo was one of seven daughters and four brothers (two dying in infancy) born to William Burdette Harrill and Myrtle Rose Harrill in Forest City, NC.

Martha was petite in stature but big in heart, service and patience. In her quiet and unassuming way she always served her church, cared for her family and used her time and energy to help others.

Martha and H. A. Deal, Jr. were high school sweethearts in Forest City with only two days difference in age. She and Bud were married November 23, 1952 after Martha completed college at the Women’s College of NC, now known as UNC-G. She later attended Mitchell Community College in Statesville for additional coursework in Education.

Martha and her husband, Bud, who worked in the home furnishings industries would make their home in various locations over the next twenty years. In addition to North Carolina, they lived in South Carolina, Tennessee, Illinois and Virginia.

During this time, Martha and Bud became the proud parents of three children with all having college degrees and leading productive lives. Rick, their son, is an Internist in solo practice in Sheffield, Alabama; their older daughter Lynn lives in Atlanta, Georgia and presently works with post physical therapy patients in movement therapy; their younger daughter Leigh is a wife and mother of two and currently works in medical device sales in Catonsville, Maryland where she and her family live. Martha dedicated her life to her family and was always a strong stabilizing force for them.

If Martha wasn’t busy doing things for others, you would find her walking and exercising, moving at a steady pace throughout her neighborhood. In her spare time, she found pleasure in playing in her bridge club, reading and cheering on her UNC Tar Heels.

Martha was also an amazing cook, and especially during the holidays when she enjoyed making her very popular fudge recipe along with her favorite cookies for family, friends and neighbors.

In her community, Martha was a teacher assistant at Pressly Elementary School in Statesville and a substitute teacher for first grade. In addition, she worked as an active precinct judge for Iredell County and volunteered at most elections. She was an active volunteer at Iredell Memorial Hospital for several years, performing various jobs.

Martha was active in her church, and this has been a cornerstone of her life. She made sure that her three children attended church regularly and that they participated in youth activities and church camp. At an early age, she instilled in each child the love of God.

Martha practiced what she preached. She served as a deacon at Forest Park Presbyterian Church, was a member of the women’s circle and served as chairperson of her circle. She regularly attended Sunday school and was a consistent volunteer for Forest Park Day Camp and for the nursery. She was active in small group Bible study, and one could always find her Bible and study guide close by to guide her through her daily life.

Martha waited a long time for grandchildren. As a matter of fact, her first grandchild was of the four-legged variety- a golden retriever named Maddux who she loved and pampered. Now she has two grandchildren, Casey L Fisher, age 14 and Cody M Fisher, age 10 who loved their “Mimi” and enjoyed the time they spent with her. It was quite obvious that the joy was mutual.

On September 18, 2011, the Forest Park Presbyterian Women awarded Martha the Honorary Life Membership into the Presbyterian Church, the highest honor that Presbyterian women can bestow. Recipients of this honor exemplify their love for our Lord and His Church by their willingness to share their time and their talents in service to Him.

Eight years later to the date, Martha was called home by God.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Gordon Hospice House, 2341 Simonton Road, Statesville, NC 28625 or donate by visiting www.hoic.org or Forest Park Presbyterian Church, 1026 Davie Avenue, Statesville, NC 28677. Forest Park accepts donations made by mail only. For further assistance, you may contact Hospice by phone at (704) 873-4719 and Forest Park at (704) 872-6482.

A memorial service will be held at Forest Park Presbyterian Church on Saturday, September 28th at 1 PM.