Mary Martha Annas

“But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not be faint.”  Isaiah 40: 31

On Monday, March 25, Martha Drum Annas’s strength was renewed when she met her Savior and Lord face to face in a land where she will never again be faint.  Martha was born in Catawba County on February 1, 1929, to the late Roy Lee Drum and Chloe Elva Drum.

In addition to her parents, Martha was preceded in death by her husband of almost sixty years, Lewis Annas and her grand-daughter Nichole Leigh Parker; her brothers, Dwight Drum, Bruce Drum, and Joel Drum; and her sisters, Linda Drum Kincaid and Wilda Drum Nelson.

She is survived by her son Wesley Edward Annas and wife, Rosanne of Hudson; daughter Vickie Parker and husband, Roger of Hudson; two grand-daughters Caroline Hewlett and Lindy Davis and husband, Matt; three great-grandchildren, Ethan Hewlett, Cooper Davis, and Clara Davis; numerous nieces and nephews; and special friend Cecil Clark.

Martha loved her Lord and was dedicated to serving Him throughout her life.  While some Christians may struggle during their lifetimes discovering the gifts the Lord has given them, this was never the case with Martha.  God gave her the wonderful gift of music.  Her musical career began after her mother consented that she could take piano lessons after watching her play on the window sill.  She further developed her talents by singing in the Lenoir High Glee Club and playing the stringed bass for the Lenoir High Band and the saxophone for the Lenoir High Marching Band.

A talented vocalist and pianist, Martha shared her God-given gift as she worked with children, youth, and adults.  Martha served as choir director at Harris Chapel Baptist Church for eight years and at Baton Baptist Church for 27 years.  Martha brought praise and worship to her Lord weekly through congregational hymns and choruses, choir specials, duets, and solos.  Whenever she heard a new song, she new exactly which choir member needed to sing it as a solo.  In addition, Martha served as a vocalist, pianist, and organist for many weddings throughout her lifetime.

Martha began her banking career at Bank of Granite working for Mr. John Forlines who was instrumental in assisting her with her first job.  For her remaining 40 years, she was employed by Granite Savings and Loan where she was employed as a loan officer.  She was a dedicated employee always striving to provide customers with exactly what they needed.  Years later Martha would encounter former customers who always thanked her for helping them get a loan for their homes.

Martha was active in her community by volunteering with the American Cancer Society.  Additionally, she served as the Senior Adult Ministry Leader for the Caldwell Baptist Association.

An avid traveler, Martha was ready to pack her bags and go at a moment’s notice where it was to the beach, to Pigeon Forge, or on a cruise through the Panama Canal.  She shared many adventures in her travels with Lewis during their years together.  In her later years, Martha traveled with friends and continued to have adventures wherever she went.  One could never have too many snacks when traveling, according to Martha, so she always packed a “ditty bag” full of fun stuff to eat along with all her suitcases.

Martha was one of those rare individuals whose life was a life of joy.  No matter the situation or circumstance there was joy to be found.  She found joy in her Lord, in her family, in her friends, in her work, in her travels and in life itself.  The joy of the Lord was her strength in all she did.

A Celebration of Life for Martha will be held on Friday, March 29 at 2:30 p.m.  at Baton Baptist Church in Granite Falls with the Reverend Roger Parker officiating.  The family will receive friends prior to the service from 1:00 until 2:30 p.m.  Burial will follow at the Harris Chapel Baptist Cemetery in Hudson.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to Amorem at 902 Kirkwood Street, N.W., Lenoir, N. C.  28645 or to The American Cancer Society at P. O. Box 11796, Charlotte, N. C.  28220.  Condolences may be shared with the family at Evans Funeral Service in Lenoir.

Evans Funeral Service is honored to serve the family of Martha Drum Annas.