Martha Ash

Martha Jeanette Williams Ash, 84, of Jackson, died Sunday, June 26, 2005, at her home.

She was born Nov. 3, 1920, in Lake County, Tenn., daughter of the late Boyd and Mabel Hart Williams. She is survived by her husband of 68 years, James D. Melvin Ash.

After retiring from Amerock in Rockford, Ill., she and her husband relocated to Cape Girardeau where she operated the Fina station on Morgan Oak for many years.

Survivors include two daughters and sons-in-law, Gloria and James Taylor of Lilbourn, Mo., and Nora and Gene Speight of Jackson; six granddaughters, Kim and Ronnie Jones of New Madrid, Mo., Kelly and Curt Poore of Jackson, Kathy and Kirk Palmer of New Madrid, Stacey and David Thomas of Lawrenceburg, Ky., Melanie Speight of Jackson and Amy Speight of Memphis, Tenn.; 11 great-grandchildren, Kyle and Katie Denton, Taylor, James Curtis and Park Poore, Makenzie and Mason Palmer, Emma, Joel, Lydia and Merideth Thomas; two sisters, Gatherine Beal of Memphis, Tenn., and Dorothy Pattison of West Memphis, Ark.; and a brother, Donald Williams of St. Louis.

She was preceded in death by eight brothers and sisters.

Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. today at Richards Funeral Home in New Madrid.

Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home with her two sons-in-law officiating.