Martha Rita (Tilley) Thurston

Martha Tilley Thurston, age 80, of Statesville, passed away on Monday, January 1, 2024. She was the wife of the late Dewey Michael Thurston, who passed away on October 26, 2013, and the daughter of the late Roy and Ruth Sprinkle Tilley.

She was a graduate of Central High School and also of beauty college and operated her own salon for over 50 years. She was a life-long member of Mountain View Methodist Church where she sang in the choir and was involved with the Ladies Group. Martha is survived by one daughter, Julie Dowdle; one grandson, Ethan (Alena) Dowdle; one granddaughter, Karlie (fiancé Austin) Dowdle; one great grandson, Benjamin Dowdle; one stepson, Mack (Gloria) Thurston; along with numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Martha was loved by her family. She was a loving mother, nurturing grandmother, and a joyous great-grandmother. She loved to bake and work in her garden. She enjoyed going fishing and playing rummy.  Martha led a simple but precious life, doing things for her family and for others kept her going.

In addition to her husband of 40 years, Martha was also preceded in death by three brothers, Anford, Tinsey, and Johnnie Tilley and three sisters, Beatrice Shaver, Linda Gentile, and Anna Mihalko.

The family would like to give a special thank you to Martha’s caregivers who were so good to her and whom she loved dearly.

Funeral services will be held on Sunday, January 7, 2024, at 2:00 pm at Mountain View Methodist Church with Tommy and Archie Guy officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will visit with friends following the services in the church.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made in Martha’s memory to Hospice and Palliative of Iredell County 2347 Simonton Rd Statesville, NC 28625, Mountain View Methodist Church cemetery fund 438 Mountain View Rd Statesville, NC 28625, or to St. Jude Children’s Hospital 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 387105.