Martha Berry Holt

Mrs. Martha Berry Holt was a natural leader whose winning presence allowed her to take control of various situations with ease. Equipped with a clear and calculating focus, she possessed a tough-minded, “take charge” attitude. She had the ability to make even routine situations seem exciting, and she was at ease with the role of playing problem solver. Martha always sought out the scene of where the action was. Sociable, analytical and pleasant, Martha was an individual who enjoyed life’s challenges.       Her parents were Michael & Delores Berry. Martha was raised in Jacksonville, NC. Always able to express herself well, Martha possessed strong interpersonal skills. She was optimistic in her outlook on life and was able at all times to be open and direct in her communication. Armed with a great wit, Martha was raised to be accepting of others and to implement a strong personal work ethic.      Blessed with a balanced attitude, Martha was able to relate well with others. Her occasional role as family mediator gave her the opportunity to ease tense situations when they occurred. Martha was raised with 4 siblings. Chris/ Michael, Pat, Debbie, Jeanie. Martha had a strong desire to be treated fairly and would readily offer others the same fairness in return.      As a young child, Martha showed her creative ability in many ways. She was outgoing and animated. Martha enjoyed new activities and pursued a variety of interests. She took part in volley ball, basketball. She was a Girls Scout and GS Camp Counceler.      When the goal of college was in sight, it became important to Martha. Again, her direct, “down to earth” approach served her well. She was able to absorb complex concepts and had an acute sense of how things worked. She earned her BS Degree In Spanish from East Carolina University, 1973, Also Graduated from The Way College of Bibilical Research in Rome City, IN 1985.      Friends and acquaintances found Martha an easy woman to get to know, and those close to her would often praise her open, practical style of communication and relaxed approach to life in general. Martha was uncomplicated and straightforward in her relationships, which allowed her to accept people for what they were. Later in life, she became friends with Jeanie Trotter Kid, Teresa Wilkie, Erma DeFord, Brittney Hong, Jen Walsh, Karl & Robin Westerman, Bert & Rayanna Bailey.       Martha was attentive to David's feelings, and she charmed David and others with her gift for being able to give freely and generously. A good listener with an engaging personality, Martha was able to bring pleasure and unexpected humor to the relationship.      Very much like a kid herself, Martha identified with the inquisitive and creative side of her children’s personalities. She was able to direct her energy and spontaneity towards helping her children acquire added common sense skills. Martha was blessed with 1 Son, Brian. They were also blessed with 2 Grand Daughters, Bentli and Bryli Holt.      Martha was a flexible worker who was able to draw the best from others around her. A persuasive individual who was quick to make necessary decisions, Martha’s strengths included being able to think on her feet. She could be a leader who sought impact for her decisions. Gifted with an incredible ability to read body language, Martha was able to positively manipulate situations and motivate others in order to get a task completed. She was a good negotiator who enjoyed new challenges. Martha could multi-task, and she was endowed with entrepreneurial spirit, allowing her to think beyond standard norms when it came to resolving issues in her work environment. Banquet Hall Manager 19 yrs., Window Cleaner 10 yrs, Full Time Mom and Grandmother and Wonderful Wife. Taught Spanish and History 7th Grade, Apartment Complex Manager, Donut Shop Employee, Self Employed Window Cleaning Co, Author and Self Published Childerens books, and Coordinated a banquet hall.      Martha enjoyed her leisure time by taking part in various hobbies. She had something of an artistic flair in many of the things that she did. She put this creativity toward all of her pastimes. Her favorite pursuits were Reading, Wrtiting Childrens Books, Sewing , Wine making, Boating, Barbie Dolls for Children of Appalachia project. She was content to enjoy her hobbies alone but was also willing to share her interests with others.      Because she liked to take risks, Martha was a perfect match for athletics and exercise. She was enthusiastic and confident about these activities. In her college years, Martha continued to stay active by playing Basketball & Volleyball. Recreational sports included Volley Ball, Soccer Referee, Tennis. Martha was also something of a sports fan and enjoyed watching her favorite events whenever she got the opportunity, including UT Football.      Martha was a gifted problem solver who worked hard to help accomplish group goals. This skill made her a wonderful asset to the various groups and organizations to which she belonged. Always matter-of-fact about what needed to be done, Martha worked steadily to meet any organization’s goals. Throughout her later years, Martha was an active member of the AYSO as Region and Area Treasurer.      Martha held close traditional values and as a result, faith was important to her. She was a Christian for 37 years, and a graduate of the Family Way Corps XI.      Travel and vacations were experiences that Martha truly enjoyed. She preferred to seek out excitement wherever she went and she was partial to vacations that were casual and laid back with an atmosphere of “live and let live.” She was willing to leave her plans open and flexible, just in case something more interesting came along. Favorite vacations included Florida, Deleware- Rehobeth, Hawaii, Norris Lake, TN, also traveled to Spain, England and Scotland.      Martha was a lover of animals and cherished her pets. One of Martha’s favorites was Casey her first pet a dog, and her last pet Casey an White & Orange tabby cat. Her family was rounded out by her second cat KattieKat, Fresca, and Cricket.       Martha's ashes were spread in one of her favorite coves at Noris Lake, TN where she loved to relax, read a good book, play Uno, and swim too.      Martha was the kind of person who could win others over easily. A concrete communicator, she relied on her senses to increase her involvement and awareness of others. She was always able to provide amusing repartee to her friends and acquaintances, offering a seemingly endless supply of quips, anecdotes, jokes and stories. If Martha had a theme song written about her, it might well have been “Don’t Worry, Be Happy.” She enjoyed her life and the experience of living it. This is how everyone will remember Mrs. Martha Berry Holt.