Mrs. Martha Ann West

MARTHA ANN WEST of Baltimore, Md, departed this life on Saturday, January 16, 2016. She was born to the late Beverley Sr. and Maude Davis, in Halifax C., Virginia. Martha was educated in the Halifax Co. Public School System. On October 25, 1958, She married Charles West Sr. and from that union 5 children were born, 3 Sons and 2 daughters. In 1960 her family left Virginia and relocated to Baltimore, MD. She accepted Christ at an early age at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church in Nathalie, VA. Once in Baltimore, She joined Bethel Baptist Church, under the leadership of the late Rev. James S. Wise, which later merged with First Emmanuel Baptist Church. When her brother-in-law, the late Rev. Dr. Ernest Ross was called to pastor Christ Church, she went to support him and she sang on the Senior Choir. When Dr. Ross left to found the Maranatha Memorial Baptist Church, once again she was there to support him in that ministry. She was a founding member of Maranatha and became a Deacon. She even served as the Chairperson of the Deacon's Ministry for some time. Once the church grew she was able to step down from that office but continued to serve as a Deacon. Then she also served as the church's musician and choir director, and was the president of the Willing Workers. In 2008, Deacon Martha West was called to a new field of labor and helped found Greater New Liberty Baptist Church, where she served as a Deacon and musician for Rev. Earl Johnson, pastor. Because of her love for children, Martha worked as a licensed day care provider for 35 years. She also worked as a Parent Liaison for James Mosher Elementary School, from 1988 to 2003. She received numerous prestigious awards and accolades. She was preceded in death by 5 sisters, Janey, Cora, Masuria Davis, Reanette Tucker Barrett, and Jeanette Acree; and two brothers, Harold and Beverley (June) Davis Jr. She leaves to cherish her memory: her husband of 57 years, Charles Sr.; 3 sons, Charles Jr. (Cynthia), Barry (Sandra) and Raymond (Lorraine) West; 2 daughters, Shirley (Aaron) Ferguson and Patricia West; 8 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren; 1 brother, Kenny (Amelia) Davis; 3 sisters, Dorothy Ross, Nannie (Carl) Jackson and Helen Womack; 2 brothers-in-law, Hugh Acree and Willie Tucker; 2 godchildren, Doris Bullock and Garnette Basareth; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

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Mrs. Martha Ann West

January 24, 1941 - January 16, 2016