Martha Williams Brookshire

Martha Williams Brookshire entered peacefully into eternal salvation Tuesday, January 27, 2015. She reunited with her dearly loved husband Balfour who passed away in the year 2000. Born and raised a native Ashevillian, she was the daughter of a fireman Wilburn (Wilb) Williams and his sweet loving wife Myrtle. She is also preceded in death by her brother Harlow Williams and his family. She loved and enjoyed her family and is survived by her sons, David (wife Sharon) and Larry (wife Jolene), her grandsons ("my 4 boyfriends") Matthew (wife Christy), Timothy (wife Blake), Cory, and Lucas, and 3 great-grandchildren Adam, Anna Ruth, and Marie - all of whom she was very proud. She is also survived by her sister, Mary Landers (husband John), and her brother-in-law Hal Brookshire (wife Pat). She enjoyed her gift of life for 8 decades in a very active and productive way. As she became less able, she was loved and supported by her family and a wonderful group of CarePartners ladies (one of who kept reminding her, "you're not old until you're 90!!"). She remained brave and determined, inspiring friends and family until passing at "the young age" of 88. She was surrounded by a large family headed by her "Grandpaw" Williams that had a boarding house on Central Ave. near today's downtown YMCA. Martha was blessed to grow up with many aunts, uncles, and cousins. This large extended family charged into life in the mid 1900's, some migrations all over the country to start their lives and raise their families. Her childhood background propelled her into one of her greatest joys, genealogy, spending many days at the old Buncombe Genealogy Society (before computers!). She and many of her lifelong friends "know everyone in town", sitting and talking with family on her parents front porch in West Asheville about friends and relatives (making sure the "younger ones" were listening!). She researched all sides of the family extensively, the Williams, the Robinsons, the Brookshires, the Collins, as well as the daughter-in-laws, compiling many volumes of ancestral information for which we are all grateful. After graduating from Lee H. Edwards High School in 1945, she became a medical technologist receiving her education and experience at Berea College and at Louisville, KY, then returning to Asheville to work for Dr's. Brown and Sluder. Marrying in 1949, she helped her husband and Cotton Bishop open B&B Pharmacy, still in operation today. Influenced by her parents and the depression, she had an appreciation for life, filled with ambition, having been taught to do everything the best way and the right way. She lived with this attitude and passed it down to all she knew and loved. Martha enjoyed the good fortune to travel and camp with her husband, eventually parking their Airstream at Paradise Park, Punta Gorda, FL, their favorite place. She was a long time volunteer at ABCCM. She loved bridge, needle point, weaving, and immensely enjoyed music, growing up playing the clarinet, piano, and organ. She shared her beautiful voice with various choral groups as well as the church choir at Trinity United Methodist where she was a very faithful and active member for over 60 years. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday at Trinity United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Rodney H. Hagans, Jr. officiating. The family will receive friends from 12:00 to 1:30 p.m. Friday at the church, prior to the service. Burial will follow at Green Hills Cemetery. Flowers are accepted, or memorials may be made to Trinity United Methodist Church, 587 Haywood Rd., Asheville, NC 28806. As mentioned, genealogy was her passion. We can hear her telling us all to "get this right and put it on record!". We can hear God telling us "I've got her now!!". Groce Funeral Home on Patton Ave. is assisting the family.