Martha Jane Madison

Martha Jane (Massengill) Madison – of Knoxville, passed away January 3, 2014. She was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, James Morris Madison; her parents, Richard McKinley Massengill and Neta Burnett (Brogan) Massengill; brother Bill Massengill; and sister Margie (Massengill) Kimbrough and brother-in-law Tate Kimbrough. Surviving family include daughters Jane Madison Cowen and husband David, and Kim Madison Jaynes and husband Joe, all of Knoxville; grandsons Zach Cowen and Matt Cowen of Knoxville, Andy Jaynes of Leavenworth, WA, and Alex Jaynes of Cambridge, MA; brother Dick Massengill and his wife Velma, of Benton, TN; nieces Neta Munsey of New Tazewell, Sandra Rogers of Hixson, and Sue Kimbrough of Corryton; and nephews Richard Kimbrough of Ooltewah and Barry and Brian Massengill of Benton. Martha was born in Fairmount, GA on May 17, 1933 and grew up in Ocoee, TN, graduating from Polk County High School in 1950. She married Morris in 1951 and worked at Oak Ridge Hospital as purchasing agent and payroll supervisor until 1956. She enjoyed working with the YWCA of Knoxville for 30 years, and retired as its Executive Director in 1997. During her time there she was instrumental in starting the Tribute to Women, domestic violence shelter and advocacy, and other programs on behalf of women and girls. She served two years as a loaned executive for the United Way of Knoxville and was involved in other non-profit and civic activities. After retirement Morris and Martha traveled by motorcycle through every U.S. state except Hawaii and to many Canadian provinces. She was a member of Church Street United Methodist Church, and before that was an active member and Sunday School teacher at Rocky Hill Baptist Church. For the past few months she lived at Clarity Pointe in Farragut, and the family is grateful to the wonderful staff there for taking such good care of her. A funeral service will be conducted at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, January 5, 2014 at Erin Presbyterian Church, 200 Lockett Road, officiated by Reverend John Stuart. Interment will follow the service at Woodhaven Cemetery in Claxton (Anderson County). In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the YWCA of Knoxville Residence Program, 420 West Clinch Avenue, Knoxville, Tennessee 37902. Online condolences may be extended at www.rosemortuary.com. The family will receive friends from 1:30 p.m. until 2:30 p.m. Sunday prior to the funeral service at Erin Presbyterian Church. Arrangements by Rose Mortuary Mann Heritage Chapel.

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Martha Jane Madison

May 17, 1933 - January 3, 2014