Mrs. Martha Ann (Stephens) Wise

REFLECTIONS ON HER LIFE

“A mother is a wonderful gift, a bright and shining light,

That God gave every one of us, to teach what is good and right.”

Martha Ann Stephens Wise was born September 29, 1950 in Chappells, SC, the oldest child of the late Arthur Stephens Sr. and Rubye Lee Stephens Williams.  She entered into eternal rest on Monday May 13, 2024 at her home in Newberry, South Carolina.

“Mot” as she was affectionately known was educated in the Newberry Public School system.  After leaving Gallman High School, she worked at various jobs including Champion Plywood for several years.  She later obtained her CNA certification and worked years in the Healthcare industry.  Martha worked in Nursing Homes from Newberry to Clinton.  She spent her later years working in home healthcare taking care of the elderly.  A few years ago, “Mot” decided to pursue higher education and started attending the South Carolina Association of Adult and Continuing Education, where she was awarded “Outstanding Learner of the Year for 2022-2023.” 

Mot joined Scurry Springs Baptist Church at an early age and was baptized.  She later moved her membership by letter to James Hopewell Baptist Church, where she served as Vice President of the Usher Board, the Kitchen Committee and the Gospel Choir.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded to heaven by her stepfather, Sam C. Williams; her husband, James Wise; her son, Anthony K. Stephens; her brothers, Arthur Stephens Jr. and Anthony Marshall; her granddaughter, Gwendella A. Lyles; her grandson, Aaron Stephens Jr.; her stepbrother, Tommie C. Williams and stepsisters, Nora Purnell and Gracie Cook.

Those who celebrate her life and cherish precious memories are her daughter, Loretta D. Stephens of Newberry, SC; sons, Rodney Z. Stephens (Robin) of Upper Marlboro, Maryland and Aaron K. Stephens of Newberry, SC; six grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; six sisters, Leslie Stephens Blakely of Kinards, SC, Natalie Graces, Donna Stephens, Cheryl Reed, Sharon Queen and Wanda Anderson all of Washington DC; four brothers, Marcellus Stephens, Todd Stephens, Vincent Stephens and Troy Stephens all of Washington DC; five stepsisters, Doris Jones and Novella Williams of Texas, Katie Wilson (Roosevelt) of Columbia, SC, Mary Francis Robinson (Bennie) of Saluda, SC and Jonell Jones (Elliot) of Baltimore, Maryland; two aunts, Lonny S. Fowler and Janis M. Gary (Ray) of Newberry, SC; an uncle, Esco Williams of Silverstreet, SC, a devoted caretaker, Pamela Jean Garnett of Columbia, SC, devoted friends, Debra Gary and Susie Lyles of Newberry, SC and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and sorrowing friends all of whom grieve her departure, but rejoice that she is now resting with the Lord.

Visitation will be from 2:00 pm till 5:00 pm Sunday May 19, 2024 in the parlor of Wilson Funeral Home.

Funeral Service 1:00 pm Monday May 20,2024 at James Hopewell Baptist Church.  275 Hopewell Church Rd. Newberry, SC 29108.

Interment will follow the service at James Hopewell Baptist Church Cemetery.

 Wilson Funeral Home is honored to assist the Wise family and thank them for their continued support.

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