Obituary

The eldest grandchild of Ann and Andrew Trent and the oldest child of Daniel Webster Nash and Mattie Trent Nash was born on October 8, 1930 in Cumberland, Virginia.

Martha attended the historic Pine Grove School and later transferred to the Luther P. Jackson School. She left school at an early age to care for and help her mother with her younger siblings. She often said, “If I had to do it again, I would.”

At a young age, she converted, was baptized, and joined Bethlehem Baptist Church in Cumberland, VA. Later in her adult years, she became a member of the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Gordon Heights, New York. She was a very active member, serving as an usher, cook, and later a superintendent, but her greatest joy was the children. She was their Sabbath day teacher and their choir director. For health reasons, she returned to Cumberland, VA and joined the Cumberland Seventh Day Adventist Church under the pastoral leadership of Gary Ashford. She took pride in welcoming the new members and making them feel at home. She eventually became Mother of the Church.

Martha met and married Hiwatha James on March 18, 1950. From this union, one son was born, Timothy James and one daughter, Mattie James Buckhannon. She raised her granddaughters, Sharon and Sheryl Nash as her daughters.

Martha displayed a great work ethic from a young age. She performed domestic work as a young teen to help her mother. In New York, she picked strawberries, potatoes and beans to help support her family. For over seventeen years she worked as a domestic in New York and eventually started her own business in day care at her home.

When her health became a priority, she moved back to Cumberland, VA with her great niece, Mary Alice. She enjoyed reading the bible, visiting the sick and shut-in, and dialoging with friends, Cora Cooke, Lizzy Trent, Loretta Chase, Parena Crump, and one of her favorite uncles, Floyd “Pick” Trent. She also enjoyed distributing Seventh Day Adventist magazines in front of Walmart and going door-to-door with her close friend in Christ, Mildred Thomas.

Over the last five years, Martha has welcomed the care and assistance from nurses, Carrie Trent, Eveon Jones, and niece, Ruth “Ruby” Taliaferro. Two years ago, she moved in with her niece Ruby, where she was a welcome presence in her home with her kind words and wonderful smile.

God’s garden must be beautiful, for He only takes the best. On Thursday, December 26, 2024, as God was walking around, He looked down from heaven and saw this beautiful full blossomed rose, Martha Moore James, and immediately dispatched his angel home. Martha was preceded in death by her parents, brothers; Daniel, William, Eldridge, Robert, and Calvin Nash; sisters, Mary Lou James, and Delores Bailey; granddaughter, Sheryl Nash, great granddaughter, Trenel Nash, great niece, Mary Alice Booker.

Martha leaves to cherish fond memories, children Mattie J. Buckhannon, Timothy D. James, Sr.; grandchildren; Gerald, Sharon, Robert, Maurice Nash, Tina, Javon, Timothy, Jr. and Ke’andre; great grandchildren, Monisha, Stephanie, Latesha, Shakyra, Kyesha, Robin, Nykel, Laniya, Aman, Kira, Kash, King, Preston, Timothy III, and Javon, Jr., great-great grandchildren, Jayvonte, Natasia, Taliyah, Jayveona, Tylen, Sahirah, Justin, Malik, Rahzoni, J’Karee, Maison, J’Ceon, Cylee, Honesty, Preston, Kaizen, and Rae’lyn; great-great-great grandchildren, Tavian, Nalani, A’Cylah, and Ahmari; two brothers, John Nash, and Roosevelt Nash; brother-in-law, John Bailey, Sr., along with a host of nieces, nephews, one devoted, Ruth “Ruby” Taliaferro, cousins, one devoted, Susie Robinson, and friends.

A Heart of Gold Stopped Beating

A heart of gold stopped beating, two shiny eyes at rest

God broke our hearts to prove he only picks the best.

God knew that you were tired, and the hills were hard to climb,

So, he closed your weary eyelids and whispered, "Peace Be Thine."

We saw you slowly fade away and could not make you stay,

God wanted you with Him in His mansion far away

Your hands so soft and gentle, your heart so tender and true

And now you sleep in God's beautiful garden

Free from sorrow and pain Your loving spirit lives in our hearts,

Until we meet again.

Lovingly Submitted.

The Family

Acknowledgements

The family would like to thank all for their acts of kindness. Your calls, visits, texts, friendship, and love have helped us through our time of bereavement. We are grateful to everyone who stopped by. May god continue to Bless you and His love be yours to share»(Do not delete this line. It does not print. Text that is to appear on web must be entered before this line)