Martha Fern Steelman England passed away on Tuesday, October 4, 2022, at the age of 85 at her home Huntsville, Alabama.

A native of Wilkesboro, North Carolina, she was the youngest of five sisters and one brother, and she never lost her youthful spirit.

She is survived by her husband, James Lee, and her children: Brian England (Brenda), Rebecca England (Sam), Mark England (Amy), Matt England (Erin), and daughter-in-law Debbie Haraway, all of the Huntsville area, as well as her grandchildren, Christina, Cody (Natasha), Sam, Mary Beth (Brian), Jacob (Emily), Taylor (Jake), Emma Kate, Victoria, Afton, Shannon (Evan), and Katherine, and three great-grandchildren, Cricket, James, and Eli. She also had several daughters-in-love whom she mothered over the years, and many cousins, in-laws, and other relatives whom she loved dearly.

She was preceded in death by her four sisters, Ruth Bryan, Mary Triplett, Sarah Lowe, and Pat Simpson; her brother, Gene Laws, and her oldest son, James Lee England, Jr.

Martha lived a long and happy life. She always said what she wanted in life was to have kids and be a mother, and that's exactly what she did. She was a loving and devoted mother to many, and always unfailingly interested in the lives and doings of her children and grands. For the last part of her life, everyone called her "Granny." She had a beautiful smile that lit up the room. She loved the church, and over the years attended Monte Sano Baptist Church, First Baptist Church, Highlands United Methodist Church, and finally, Holmes Street United Methodist Church. She and Jim have remained dear friends with people from each of these churches through the years. She loved going to the Madison County Senior Center, and enjoyed weaving shawls and baskets there, as well as visiting with her friends. She loved Alabama football! She loved playing cards and had the best card-playing friends. Martha and her husband, Jim, made a happy life together for 65 years and took good care of each other until the end.

The visitation and memorial service for Martha will be Saturday, October 8, 2022, at Holmes Street United Methodist Church, 501 Holmes Ave NE, in Huntsville. The visitation will begin at 9:30am and the memorial service will be at 11:00am.