Martha Ann Dalton Lakenan
February 20, 1932 ~ September 11, 2005
Resided in:
Asheville, NC
Martha Ann Dalton Lakenan, 73, of 44 Skyview Terrace, Asheville, went peacefully to be with the Lord and her loved ones on Sunday, September 11, 2005, at home with her family.
A native of Buncombe County, she was a daughter of the late John Baxter and Vista Edwards Dalton. She was also preceded in death by her husband, William Allen Lakenan, who died in 1984 and by a brother, John Dalton. She was retired from the National Climatic Center and was a member of First Baptist Church of Asheville.
Survivors include a daughter, Laura Fisher and her husband Tony of Stathan, GA; a son, Gary Allen Lakenan and his wife Lisa of Mooresville; three sisters, Louise Hagler, Dorothy Lamson and her twin sister Mary Thompson; two brothers, Bob Dalton and Jim Dalton; four grandchildren, Ryan, Michael, Emmett and Zachary.
A memorial service will be held at 4:00 pm Thursday in the Patton Avenue chapel of Groce Funeral Home with the Rev. Elizabeth Harris officiating. The family will receive friends following the service.
Memorials may be made to Mountain Area Hospice, PO Box 25338, Asheville, NC 28813 or to the Humane Society, 72 Lees Creek Road, Asheville, NC 28806.
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I was introduced to Martha in May 1995 by her good friend, Martha Miller; though she had already retired, Martha took the time to help train me when I was hired to work in her old position. I think that says a lot about her because she didn’t have to do it.
What I remember about Martha is that she was a fun person to be around and full of laughter.
I was very sorry to learn that she was sick and even more sorry when I learned that she had passed. However, I know that she’s in a much better place right now than we are.
A friend to all. Our sincere sympathy to the family.
Dear Lakenan Family,
Kathy and I are saddened at the news of Mrs. Lakenan’s passing. We pray that God will comfort your hearts and give you His peace in these days!
Aunt Martha was probably the best Aunt a girl could ever wish for. She was a little zany, and lots of fun to be around. My thoughts and prayers are with you all this week.
Our deepest sympathy to all of you. You are certainly in our thoughts and prayers.
Laura & Gary,
I am so sorry about your mom and what she and you went through this summer. I wish so much I could be there with you now, and I wish Mom could come. I know how upset she is to not be there with you right now. I am just so glad that we both got to see your mom in June. Please know you are in my prayers.
Love,
Jenny
Laura and family, please know that we have you all in our prayers.
My deepest sympathy to you Laura and your family.
Aunt Martha will truly be missed. She was just so much fun to be around and a very kind and caring person. She took a sincere interest in the lives of others…not because she was nosey, but because she truly cared and wanted to help. She also had a heart for animals and the cats in the neighborhood will miss her.
We will always cherrish the fond memories we have with Aunt Martha. Remember that fun Lakenan family reunion in the Outerbanks? She sure could sing! What a fun loving person! Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family Laurie and Gary.
May God keep you comforted at this sad time and always. Aunt Martha will always be remembered fondly. Thankfully, she will have great company with the family that preceeded her.
Love to Laurie & Gary & your families.
Kelli & Emilio Reid
just want you all to know our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.
Martha was a lovely person. I really enjoyed working with her at the National Climatic Data Center.
Martha was a dear friend through high school….and a few years after when I went to Washginton, DC to work. I lived with Mary and Martha while I was there, and always felt that we were ‘family’. Martha will be missed by so many people. Her precious smile revealed her ‘love of life’. I am sorry it could not have been longer. To each of her family members my husband and I express deep sympathy. We share your grief.
Laura, you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. May God bless you all.
Yolanda and I worked with Martha for several decades. She was always jolly and helpful. We will miss her friendly smile. We share the sorrow of her family’s loss.
Grant and Yolanda Goodge
Hi Laurie & Gary,
My mom gave me this website and told me to look at the picture of my Aunt Martha smiling at me. Your mother has always been such a big part of our lives, especially since she is my mother’s twin. We grew up hearing all of those crazy ‘Mary & Martha’ stories, mostly from when they were rooming together in Washington. I have a lot of wonderful memories of my own, too, and some of them are funny (I’ll never forget your mom chasing the ‘Blue Light Specials’ at K-Mart!) She was so sweet to animals. I will always remember her fixing our grandmother’s hair at your dining room table–I hope that the two of them are doing that again right now. I’m sorry that I can’t make it to the memorial service, but you can know that I am praying for you all. She was a very special aunt with a very tender heart.
Love,
Mary Kay
1 Thessalonians 4:13-14
Laurie & Gary, I am sad to lose Aunt Martha, but I do know that she & Betsy will be able to have some good laughs with Bill & Harry in heaven. I know you will miss her, but you of course you have some very wonderful memories.
Love lee Christine, Jessica, Cameron & Lea
Gary, Laurie, et al: Mom told me today of Martha’s passing. I have fond memories of both Martha and Uncle Bill. I’m sorry they’re both gone now. Katie and I extend our sympathies and hope everyone is doing okay.
So sorry to hear about Martha. I worked with her at National Climatic Center, she was a wonderful person and I enjoyed working with her.
We were sad to learn the news of Martha passing away. She exemplified the word ‘Mother’ because she cared so deeply for others. May the love that surrounds you be a source of comfort at this time.
Our deepest sympathy,
Kelly & Jeanette
In high school, Mary and Martha would drive out to Riceville Rd to pay us a visit.Always happy,those two, and I have often thought of them.Martha will be missed. Mary, I send you love, and my sympathies..
I’m sure Aunte Martha will me missed very much. My sympathy to all.
Martha Ann was a wonderful person and friend. She will truly be missed by all. God bless.
To the whole big bunch of us related to her in one way or another, I send love and happy memories of Aunt Martha. I know she’s already found the best places in Heaven to share her love and energy. (I also bet she’s found the best places to go dancing with her friends up there, too.)
A smile is on my face just thinking of her.
Many wonderful memories shared with this sister-in-law, over 50 years worth…..there will be an empty spot in many hearts….
I will always remember the fun times we had in the early 1990’s. Micheal Mercer, Greg Hammer and I would go out to dinner or dancing with Martha and Martha Sue. We always laughed and carried on. Martha was a hip mother figure for the three of us who where so far away from home while in College and when starting our careers. She took the time to listen to us and love us. She is another Angel in Heaven. My prayers continue for the family as they grieve. God Bless. Sara Toscano.
Much love to you all.
Rebecca Lamson Hodge
Laurie, Gary, and family: There’s a common theme running throughout these messages; your mom’s boundless energy and kind spirit. I’ll remember her for these things, too. Some of my fondest childhood memories are of my Aunt Martha, Uncle Bill, and you. You all occupy a special spot in my heart.
Love and peace to you all.
— Bob Thomson
Charles and Mary Browning worked
with Martha for many years at the
National Clinatic Center. Martha’s
smile and warm personality combined
to earn her a special place in our
book of happy memories of those years.
Having worked with Martha for many years at the National Climatic Data Center, I appreciated her friendliness and sense of humor. She made life a little bit better for many people. My condolences to her family.
So very sorry to hear of Martha’s death. I worked with her at the National Climatic Data Center for many years. She was a special friend with a special smile and sense of humor. She brightened many a hectic work day. Just thinking about Martha brings a smile to my face. My condolences to her family. She treasured each of you.
My Dad, Dave Matthews, worked with Martha for many years at the Climatic Center. He thought the world of Martha, and therefore we did too. We are all shocked to learn of her passing. We didn’t know she had been ill. I have fond memories of visiting Dad at work from time to time, and Martha was always exceptionally friendly. She will be missed.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family, Laura. May the Good Lord uphold you during this time of mourning. I pray that sweet memories of your Mom will fill your heart and mind in the weeks and years to come. Love you, girl.
Dear family of Dear Martha,
It is so sad to hear of the passing of such a great lady and co-worker of mine at NCDC. It was very nice to be in the workplace with Martha over the years we were both there.
Love to all,
Sam Hocking
Martha was our neighbor until we moved to Greenville on August 6, 2005. She was such a kind and friendly person. I remember the time when our son, Aaron, was about ten years old and fell off his bike onto the pavement and broke his front teeth and she brought him home and was sweet and understanding. We are all going to miss her but realize she is in a place where she will never want leave to even come back to us who cherish her memory.
Marie C. Clark
Laura
Your Mom was a special lady and I always enjoyed seeing her when she came down to watch Ryan and Michael play or practice baseball. It was always fun seeing the great clothes she would pick out and bring. (She had great taste). I know she was your best friend and you will miss her greatly. Just always remember your wonderful memories and know that she is in heaven now as your angel.
I love you all.
My condolences to the family. I enjoyed working with Martha at NCDC. She was always such a joy to be around. She will be missed.
To Martha’s family:
I was one of the Martha’s friends called the Golden Girls. We always had so much fun when we got together. Never a dull moment and everyone loved Martha (we called her Sophie). Lots of good memories. My thoughts and prayers will be with you during this time.
Martha was truly a lovely person and I enjoyed working with her at The National Climatic Data Center. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Dear Laura and Tony,
Laura we were sorry to hear of the passing of your mom. I remember several years ago when I had the chance to speak with her at the farm bureau office. She was such a nice person and I know a great mom to you all. Thanks to our Lord we have the assurance that we will see them again someday. Your family remains in our prayers and we will talk to you soon.
We worked with Martha for many years at NCDC. She was always a cheerful face and all of her coworkers loved her.
Aunt Martha always had a smile on her face and truly loved us all. She was a ‘very fun Aunt’. I remember her love for animals, especially Tina.Laurie and Gary, please know that our prayers are with you.I will miss your Mom.
Please accept my deapest sympathy. Martha was the first person to welcome me to the NCDC. She never failed to brighten my day. I will always value her friendship.