Martha Jane (Lilly) Atha

Martha Jane Atha 98 of Beckley WV passed peacefully away at her home on
September 26. Born June 12, 1921 she was the daughter of the Reverend Joe
Lilly and Mamie Mann Lilly. Her step mother of many years was Armentia Day
Lilly.

Martha was preceded in death by her husband Herbert E.Atha, Jr. Left with
loving memories of their mother are a daughter Donna (Andy) Lucas of Daniels
WV; sons Herbie (Karen) Atha and Randy (Christy) Atha all of Beckley; seven
grandchildren, Martha (Greg) Horne of Boone, NC;  Frank (Megan) Constantino
of Seminole, FL; Karen Lynn (Justin) Glinn  of Pigeon Forge, TN; Jon (Carla)
Atha of Topsail Island, NC; April (Jeremy) Carney of Beckley, WV; Anne (Lee)
Perry Harper's Ferry, WV; and Jefferson Lucas of Butler, PA. Martha was a
loving great grandmother of 16 and great, great grandmother of 2.

Martha lived most of her life in Beckley where she was active through the
years in church and community.  Besides her family her greatest joy came
from painting and being on her farm.  She was active in the Beckley Art
Group for many years, exhibiting in many competitions and cities earning
numerous awards. She was very modest about her painting but delighted to be
one of the 35 finalists in the National Benedictine Awards Contest and
invited to view her painting on display at the Chase Manhattan Gallery in
New York.

Her other great love was life on her farm which became even more beautiful
to her as Athena Farm and Vineyard. She never wanted to miss a wedding and
seldom did.  She loved to drive her golf cart to pull weeds from the flowers
to help keep everything as pretty as possible, and then to sit peacefully on
the cart and visit with her Lord in the Prayer Garden.

Loving her in her declining years were her wonderful caregivers who she said
made her a 'spoiled woman'.  Connie, Vivian, Janet, Robin and Sue made many
trips to weddings, the Prayer Garden and to the pond to feed the ducks when
she could no longer drive herself.

A private memorial service will be held for Martha as her family mourns her
passing. Melton Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, donations to Hospice House of Southern WV would be
greatly appreciated.

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