Martha T. Shuttlesworth

Martha T. Shuttlesworth of Tuscaloosa, Alabama transitioned from her home on earth to her home in Heaven peacefully on Monday, March 21, 2022 at 87 years of age. She left this world surrounded by her loved ones.

A celebration of her life will be held at Memory Chapel on Saturday, March 26, 2022 at 2:00pm with Pastors Chuck Allen and Billy Gray officiating followed by a brief grave-side service at Memory Hill Gardens Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 1:00-2:00pm at the Chapel.

Martha was born to the late Samuel Perrin Taylor II and Anne Taylor Quimby in Birmingham, Alabama on November 5, 1934. Prior to Martha’s passing, she also lost her loving husband of 67 years, Edward Eugene “Gene” Shuttlesworth, and her beautiful daughter-in-law, Racheal R. Shuttlesworth.

Survivors include Martha’s two brothers, Don Taylor and Samuel “Bubba” P. Taylor III, two devoted and loving sons, Eddie Shuttlesworth and Teddy (Sherry) Shuttlesworth, Five Grandchildren, Amy (David) Newsome, Kristy (Chuck) Allen, Stephanie Beck, Teddy Jr. (Nicole) Shuttlesworth, and Perrin (Stacy) Shuttlesworth, 18 Great Grandchildren, four Great, Great Grandchildren, Six nieces, and one nephew. Family was everything to Martha. Whether she was called Martha, Aunt Martha, Mamaw or Mom, she loved her family fiercely and completely.

Martha and Gene were successful entrepreneurs who lived life to the fullest while always putting God first. Together, they owned and operated the Dari-King in Cottondale, Alabama for 40 years while also owning several rental condos in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, Alabama for several decades. Putting God first meant that the Dari-King was always closed on Sundays as this was the day set aside to rest and worship God. Honoring God in everything she did was always so important to Martha. She truly demonstrated God’s love to everyone in everything she did and in how she spoke to and treated those around her.

Family was also incredibly important to Martha. She loved her family unconditionally and was always generous with everything she had. She especially loved having family gather for any occasion at her house, whether it was to celebrate birthdays, get together for Christmas and other holidays throughout the year, or just to grill hamburgers and hang out at the pool in her backyard. Watching Alabama Football with family and friends was also a favorite pastime. Whatever the occasion, she always made everyone feel welcomed and special. There were several times over the years where she provided a place to live in her home for family members and friends who needed help. She always did this with a tender heart and loving smile knowing that she was serving Jesus when she served others. We will miss her in our daily routine, but her strong faith and commitment to family will continue to influence us and future generations to come.

Martha was a devoted member of Hopewell Baptist Church for 62 years where she kept up with everyone and was known for calling and checking on Church members often. She served in the children’s department for 30 of those years where she touched the lives of thousands of children in a positive way teaching them about Jesus’ love for them in her Sunday School classes. Martha also had a positive impact on many people who worked for her at the Dari King where she instilled a strong work ethic in everyone who worked there. It’s entirely possible that if you were to ask someone in the Tuscaloosa area if they knew Martha Shuttlesworth, they would respond with having either worked for her at the Dari-King, been a member of one of her Sunday School classes, or rented a condo from her. She was the most kind-hearted, gentle soul and was always more concerned about others than herself. She gave selflessly, loved completely, and lived life to the fullest.

Pallbearers who will honor her include Hunter Allen, Ethan Newsome, Josh Hayden, Chris Beck, Justin Beck, Conner McFerrin, Private First Class Jaden Allen, and Taylor Burchfield. The Honorary Pallbearers will be Scarlet Dunnam, Brad and Bobbie Glover, and Former Hopewell Baptist Church Members.

Martha was smart, sincere, funny, and a joy to be around. She loved her family, her many friends, and the Alabama Crimson Tide. She will be forever missed by her sons, family, and friends who loved her dearly.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to New Hebron Baptist Church 5926 Griffintown Road, West Blocton, AL 35184