Martha Jean McFarland, age 92, a life-long resident of Forest City died Wednesday, December 3. 2025 at Fair Haven of Bostic.

Born August 9, 1933. she was preceded in death by her parents, William and Cary McFarland, her sisters, Falsom Wall, Estelle Wilkerson, Margaret Rollins, Peggy Harrill, and her brothers, W.T. McFarland and Johnny McFarland.

She is survived by her sisters, Lottie June McAbee and Mary Jane Hinkle, and seven nieces and nephews and other extended family.

Martha Jean graduated from Cool Springs High School in 1951 and Howard Business College in Shelby in 1952. She began her work career as a cashier at Cato’s and then as Secretary for Clarence Ridings, Attorney.

Beginning in 1959, she worked for the Sandy Run Baptist Association for eight years jointly with her work with Florence Baptist Church. She retired in 1998 after serving as Secretary/Administrative Assistant at Florence Baptist Church for 39 ½ years.

Serving with six pastors at Florence, Martha Jean’s life was Florence Baptist Church. She dedicated her life to serving all the people of Florence, young and old. She was the ultimate team player and took great pride in everything she did. While working as an employee, she also gave freely of her time as a member serving as Senior Adult Coordinator and Mission Group Leader for many years.

Upon her retirement, she was elected as the first female Deacon and continued to be the only female Deacon for 20 years. During her active years as a Deacon, she usually served as Secretary of that group.

In addition to her dedication to her church, she was dedicated to her family, serving as caregiver for ten family members during their final years and handling the estates for those family members. Even though she never married, she lived a life of dedication to all family members and her church.

Martha Jean enjoyed traveling, visiting 48 states and international travel including visiting the Holy Land.  At age 37, she set a goal to learn to swim, receiving recognition when she reached a goal of swimming 500 miles.

Funeral services will be held Sunday, December 7, 2025, at 2 o’clock at the Florence Baptist Church with the Reverend Dr. Bobby Gantt and the Reverend Daniel Selman officiating. Interment will follow in the Cool Springs Cemetery.

The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service in the Church Narthex.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Florence Baptist Church, 201 South Broadway Street, Forest City, North Carolina 28043.

The Padgett and King Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.