Martha Hedges loving wife, mother, sister, grandmother, and friend passed away peacefully at home with her loving husband of 61 years, Raymon Hedges, at her side Friday, September 22, 2023.
Martha was born in Batesville on August 25, 1939, to Jerry Ford and Frances Atkisson Percifull. She lived her entire life in Batesville and was a member of Calvary Baptist Church. More importantly, Martha was a born-again believer in Jesus Christ and had received the gift of salvation (Romans 6:23). She has now finished her earthly battle with dementia and is resting in her Heavenly home with her savior. “But our citizenship is in Heaven, and from it, we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.” Philippians 3:20-21.
Martha was artistic, outgoing, social, witty, and never met a stranger. She was trusting, compassionate to all, and a fiercely loyal mother always fully supportive of her two beautiful daughters. Martha graduated from Batesville High School in 1957 and loved assisting in the planning of class reunions for years after. She retired from White Rodgers in Batesville and stayed active for years volunteering at White River Medical Center and working the polling precincts during local elections. She loved her family, flea markets, traveling on trains, dancing, bible study, and books. She amassed a large book collection, yet she was never known to read a book cover to cover.
Martha was preceded in death by her parents. Left behind to cherish her memory are her husband, Raymon; daughters, Denise Bailey (Brian) of Batesville and Deanna Burton (Todd) of Jonesboro, five grandchildren, Casey Bailey of Batesville, Colton Bailey (Erica) of Jonesboro, Courtney Little (Austin) of McCrory, Cameron Bailey of Jonesboro, and Kyle Bailey of Batesville; three great-grandchildren, Skylar, Beckham, and Urijah Bailey; and two sisters, Jerre Vandenberg (Jim) of Keokuk, IA, and Beverly Petty (George) of Nunnelly, TN.
A memorial service will be planned at a later date.
