Martha J. Nobles

MARTHA JANE NOBLES was born on December 28, 1940, in Baltimore, Maryland to Annie Smith and Samuel Carroll. She departed this life suddenly on Thursday, August 25, 2022, in Pompano Beach, Florida. Martha was affectionately called “Mother (Muva) Martha”. Martha grew up in a tight knit community in South Baltimore with her mother and two brothers, Robert “Stanley” and Frank. Martha was the youngest child. Sadly, their mother passed. Members of the community stepped in to care for the young children. Frank was taken in by the Dyett family; Martha and Stanley were taken in by Pauline Casley Williams. They called her “Aunt Pauline”; her son John was their older brother. Stanley was Martha’s father figure. She called him “Pops”. Stanley always looked out for his baby sister and kept her close to him. The family left South Baltimore and moved to the Calverton Heights community in West Baltimore. Martha was educated in the Baltimore City Public School System, a graduate of the historical George Washington Carver High School. Martha worked from an early age doing various jobs. She always said, “I’ve worked all my life.” She worked for the Baltimore Laundry. From there she went on to work at the Carr Lowery Glass Company. A hard worker, who wanted more for her children, Martha gained employment with the United States Postal Service. She was a dedicated public servant. In 1985, she had to retire due to a major shift in her health. She received a plaque and citations for over twelve years of dedicated service. One night at work, without warning, Martha lost her eyesight. Eventually she was diagnosed with the auto-immune disease Lupus. Lupus caused her to lose 75% of her eyesight; she suffered excruciating full body pain daily. Being a strong, independent, and outgoing woman, Lupus drastically changed Martha’s lifestyle. Every day was a fight. Some days were better than others. Nevertheless, she remained on the battlefield until the end. Her faith carried her. She took rest in 2nd Corinthians 12:9 “And he said unto me, “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness…” Martha was raised in the Christian faith. In the 1980s she began to worship with her mother-in-law, the late Dolly Nobles at St. Timothy’s Christian Baptist Church on Groveland Avenue. In 1990 she joined the church under Dr. Carl L. Washington, Sr., Founder and Pastor. She attended Church and Bible study faithfully, even during the pandemic attending faithfully via telephone. Martha served on the usher board and the Courtesy Ministry. Her pineapple upside down cake was a Courtesy Ministry hit. Martha enjoyed the Word in song. She enjoyed gospel music and the hymns of the church. Her favorite hymn was “Take My Hand, Precious Lord,” by Mahalia Jackson. She loved to hear the church choirs sing. She loved her church family. Her church family loved and supported her. She developed a genuine kingdom relationship with Carol King. She adopted Carol as her goddaughter. Her favorite scripture was the 23rd Psalm. Martha was a loving mother who always provided for her children Anthony and Renee. She reared her young family in Westport. The family later moved to Edmondson Village. In 1984, she married her life partner, Marvin G. Nobles. Their love affair spanned 50 years. She was a caring and supportive stepmother. They enjoyed going to the casinos and enjoyed traveling, where Atlantic City was a favorite quick trip. They also enjoyed live entertainment venues. In September 1981, they purchased a home, 3313 Fairview Road, in Lochearn. In the early days they were known for their parties. They enjoyed entertaining friends and family at their home. In October 2021, Martha sold her home. After a brief stay with goddaughter and caretaker, Carol King, she relocated to Pompano Beach, Florida to live with her son in June. During her short stay, she painted the town with her son, enjoying a variety of restaurants, social events, and the beach. Martha was a loving and supportive grandmother. She helped to take care of her eldest grandson, Frederick “Freddie” and looked forward to spending quality time with Anthony’s children. Martha was a supportive sister, aunt, friend and neighbor. Martha had a one-of-kind laugh and a beautiful smile. She was outgoing and down to earth. She was independent and strong willed. She would accomplish whatever she set her mind to do. She was no “push over”. She was feisty. You didn’t want a “piece of her mind”. Martha had an eye for fashion. She could “rag”. She liked to “dress up”; she liked looking her best. She enjoyed Saturday shopping excursions with her daughter. They would “shop till you drop”. She enjoyed a good game of Bingo. She was an excellent cook. She was always willing to share her seasoning secrets and show you how to prepare a delectable dish. She enjoyed a variety of Soul and R & B music. She enjoyed watching TV. Some of her favorite shows included daytime dramas, especially the Young and the Restless, Tyler Perry’s, The Have and the Have Nots, westerns, Perry Mason, and the Family Feud, game show. She enjoyed horticulture. She loved Baltimore Ravens Football. Her favorite player was Ray Lewis. Her favorite color was red. Martha always imparted words of wisdom to her children about life: she would say, “Watch what you do and watch what say.” She was also known for saying, “That wouldn’t be me.” We thank and praise God for the life of our beloved, Martha Jane Nobles. We honor her life, work, and time among us. Preceding her in death: husband, Marvin G. Nobles; her parents; brothers, Robert “Stanley” Smith, Sr., and Frank Eugene Smith; her aunt, Pauline Casley Williams; and brother, John Casley, Jr. To cherish her memory, she is survived by her: children, son, Anthony D. Smith and daughter, Renee A. Wortham; four grandchildren, Frederick “Freddy” H. Wortham, Jr., Hannah D. Smith, Antonio D. Smith, and Benjamin A. Smith. Also, to remember her are sisters-in-law, Pearl V. Smith, Debra N. McDaniels, and Emma; three nephews and six nieces, a host of great-nephews and -nieces; cousins and other relatives. Also, to remember her are eight stepchildren. She was especially close with Sheila; childhood friends Marty Reed, and Joyce Wilton; her Fairview Road neighbors, Blanche Wells; her daughter, Tracye A. Howard, who nicknamed her “Mother (Muva) Martha” because of her mothering spirit, her daughters, Chae “Chae Monae” and Ayanna, Sandra Mae Jones, and Teresa Francois; devoted goddaughter, Carol King; Cornell Carter; and a host of other associates and friends.

Tributes

Martha J. Nobles

December 28, 1948 - August 25, 2022