“ … And I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Psalm 23:6

Nov. 17, 1913 – May 23, 2013

WOODVILLE — Services for Susie Morris Martens, 99, who died peacefully in the home of her son in Birmingham, Ala., Thursday, May 23, 2013, will be at 2 p.m. Sunday at Newman Funeral Home Chapel in Woodville.

Visitation will be from noon until service time Sunday at the funeral home.

Arrangements are under the direction of Newman Funeral Home.

Mrs. Martens was born Nov. 17, 1913, in Woodville, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W.V. Morris. She grew up on Indian Fields Plantation with her two sisters, Mattie Sessions and Katherine Bell and her three brothers, W.V., Green and Gordon.

Mrs. Martens was a lifelong member of the Woodville Christian Church that her father helped charter. She, with her talents and love for all things beautiful, was responsible for the flower arrangements at the front of the Christian Church every Sunday.

Mrs. Susie, as she was affectionately known, was a 1935 graduate of Mississippi College for Women, a member of the Eastern Star and Irwin Russell Club. She loved playing bridge with her group and also the “young girls” as she called them.

It was in 1934, that she caught the eye of Mr. August Martens, owner of Martens Rexall Drug Store. The Martens operated the downtown drugstore for 50 years. Mrs. Susie kept a gift shop that people traveled for miles to visit and many still miss today.

While she almost reached her 100th birthday and knew the pain of seeing a number of her dearest family and friends die before her, we will now feel the loss of this strong woman.

Mrs. Susie was preceded in death by her husband of 50 years; one son, August Jr.; and one daughter, Margery Maude.

Survivors include two sons; seven grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren with two more on the way; and a number of loving nieces, nephews and relatives.