Martha Butler Fender, 95, of McComb, MS., passed away at home on February 25, 2024.Martha was born on February 22, 1929 in Smithdale, MS. She was the daughter of the late Dr. Charles Herbert Butler and Donnis Hewitt Butler. Martha graduated from Mars Hill High School in Smithdale, MS. and attended the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg prior to her marriage to Ralph Hall Fender in 1952. After marrying, they lived in Corpus Christi, Houston, Lake Charles, Lafayette, and New Orleans during Ralph's career with Amoco Production Corporation.

Martha and Ralph enjoyed traveling on vacations throughout the world.

Martha had a gift for hospitality and friendship. She enjoyed her large extended family and many close friends. She was a patriot and person of great faith, having a close relationship with her Lord and Savior.

If you never met Martha you missed a blessing.

She was preceded in death by her husband Ralph Hall Fender, and her brothers, Charles Hugh, Louis Lansing, James Hilton, and Francis Edwin Butler and sisters, Audrey Buckley and Ava Marie Shultz.

She is survived by her sister, Carolyn Butler Heslep, a number of nieces and nephews, and many friends.

The family would like to express gratitude to the hospice staff and nurses of All at Home care services, Brookhaven, MS. Special appreciation is also extended to Victoria Smith for the compassionate around-the-clock care she provided.

A visitation will be held Wednesday, March 13, 2024 at Hartman Jones Funeral Home from 10 AM to 11 AM. A private graveside will follow at Mars Hill Cemetery. Rev. Richard Cothern will officiate. Hartman Jones Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.