Blenda Ray (Hawley) Martin, 82, of Edgewater, Md., departed this life on Monday, March 20, 2023, in her apartment.
Born on Sept. 19, 1940, in Kanes Creek (Kingwood), she was the daughter of the late Henry Lloyd and Maxine Elva Gamble Hawley. After graduating in 1958 from Masontown High School, she went to work for C&P Telephone company as a switch board operator in Wheeling in 1959, then transferring to the Washington D.C. office in 1961. She later became a manager of operator services for C&P, Bell Atlantic, AT&T and Verizon over the next 30 years. She retired in 1991 as staff manager for Verizon. After her retirement, she worked part time for Best Connection Travel Agency, Hospice of the Chesapeake and for Davidsonville Elementary School. She was enthusiastic about traveling, loved the beach and cherished time together with friends and family. She especially loved to help young families by babysitting or showing up for whatever else they needed. She was passionate about reading, crocheting, cleaning and, most importantly, spending time with her grandkids.
She is survived by her son, Steven Martin and spouse Crystal, of Eldersburg, Md.; her daughter, Sherri Martin-Arnold and spouse Douglas of Davidsonville, Md.; two brothers, Richard Hawley and spouse Nancy, of Eagle River, Alaska; Kermit Hawley and spouse Judy, of Kingwood; four grandchildren, Joshua Martin, Kyla Martin, Matthew Arnold and Caleb Arnold; and three great-grandchildren, Samuel Martin, Bowen Martin and Leena Martin.
She was preceded in her death by her son, Kevin L. Martin, in 1965; her father, Henry L. Hawley, in 1969; her husband, Norman A. Martin, in 2003; her mother, Maxine, in 2012; her brothers, Charles “Chuck” Hawley, in 1974, Harold “Buck” Hawley, in 2008, and Ronnie Hawley, in 2015; and her sister, Wilda Hawley-Holman, in 1984.
Friends may call at Kingwood Funeral Home, 295 South Price St., Kingwood, from 1-3 p.m. and 5-7 p.m. on Monday, March 27. A visitation will also be held at Kanes Creek United Methodist Church, 554 Moran Road, Kingwood, from 10 a.m. until the funeral hour at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, March 28, with the Rev. Dr. Michael Metzger officiating. Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens.
Condolences:
www.kingwoodfuneralhomewv.com
