Martha Elizabeth Williard

She was born on January 5th, 1936, in Winston-Salem to the late John and Elizabeth Bodenheimer. Martha was an active member of Tri-City Baptist Church where she had been involved in the choir, CARE ministry, teller committee, and hospitality committee. One of her greatest joys was serving the Lord by using her gift of hospitality, especially through her culinary talent. She was truly an example of the biblical Martha. “Momma Martha’s” signature dishes were known far and wide and eagerly anticipated especially during holiday seasons. Some of her favorite recipes were for Moravian sugar cake, fresh coconut cake, gingerbread cookies, potato salad, Moravian Christmas cookies, and a variety of pound cakes. In addition to cooking, she had a passion for gardening spending numerous hours tending to her flowers--especially her beloved Thanksgiving and Christmas cactuses. Martha loved spending time with her family and found great joy in time spent with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She married her life-long sweetheart, Grady Williard, Jr., on May 20, 1956, and they spent 59 wonderful years together until he preceded her in death on October 18, 2015. She worked secretarial jobs until they started a family at which point she became a full-time homemaker—a role which she truly loved! She eventually returned to secretarial work, retiring after working for the state of North Carolina at Viewmont Elementary. She was well known for her sweet spirit as well as her generous heart; and of course, her southern cooking talent. Martha leaves behind a great legacy of faith, family, food, and flowers.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her brother John C. Bodenheimer, Jr.; sister-in-law, Jo Ann Bodenheimer; brother-in-law, Bob Burchette; and son-in-law, Malcolm Reese.

Those left to cherish her memory include: daughters, Connie Peeler and husband, Doug “Pete” of Bethlehem and Martha Reese of Bethlehem; granddaughters, Rebecca Phillips and husband Brent, of Concord, and Jenna Gilmore and husband, Ian, of Bethlehem; grandsons, Matt Reese and wife Lauren, of St. Johns, Florida, Andrew Peeler and wife Christian, of Hickory, and Josh Reese of Bethlehem; great-grandchildren Owen Phillips, Maelyn and Callum Reese, Isaac, Leah, and Hannah Grace Peeler, Carson and Lane Reese, and Evelyn and Benjamin Gilmore; a sister, Gayle Burchette of Trinity; and a number of nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends at Tri-City Baptist Church in Conover on Sunday, December 15, 2024, beginning at 2:30 p.m. A Service of Remembrance will follow at 4:00 p.m. Interment will be on Monday, December 16 at 11:00 a.m. at Woodlawn Memorial Gardens in Hickory.

The Peeler and Reese families would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to the emergency staff and intermediate care staff of Catawba Valley Medical Center for the compassionate and gentle care they provided for Martha during her brief illness. Also, much gratitude to Alexander County EMS and Bethlehem Fire and Rescue personnel for their assistance. We are also very appreciative for the great care provided to Martha by Dr. Jill DeVries, her family physician of the last two years.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Tri-City Baptist Church “Birthday Gift for Jesus”, 1409 NC Hwy 16, Conover, NC 28613; Hickory Christian Academy, 3260 6th St. Dr. NW, Hickory, NC 28601; or Baptist Children’s Homes of North Carolina, P.O. Box 338, Thomasville, NC 27361.