Mrs. Martha M. Hawkins

Martha McCrary McGuire Hawkins died at her home in Salisbury, NC on December 30, 2014 at the age of seventy-seven. Over the past year, she valiantly fought cancer and the challenges of the treatment. Born in 1937, in Brevard, NC, Martha was the youngest of four children to Carl Caleb McCrary and Mary Jane King McCrary. She was the last of her generation, preceded in death by sister, Jane, and brothers, John and Tom. Martha graduated from Brevard High School in 1955 and later attended Columbia Women’s College. Martha married Joseph W. McGuire in 1957 and they were blessed with four children; they raised reared their family in Brevard and later on Lakeshore Drive in Asheville, NC. They were active parents that were devoted to their children’s development, education, and well-being. Martha was also a devoted daughter and sibling within her family. She was involved in many other activities that included Christmas-tree farming, gardening, and floral arrangement. Martha owned and operated a florist shop in Brevard and later worked in several others. She met her second husband, Hugh Hawkins, in this field of endeavor, and they moved to Salisbury, NC, in 1988. Purchasing a nineteenth-century Victorian home together, they remodeled this home from top-to-bottom, closely adhering to the restoration standards of the local community. Martha worked for several years for the local Welcome Wagon organization and ultimately found her real career passion – real estate sales and service. Working for Wallace Realty for nearly 24 years, she helped many to purchase or sell a home; in particular, she enjoyed helping those in need or difficulty. We all have soft spots and Martha’s were her children, grandchildren, and stray animals. She spent significant time, effort, and money caring for and rescuing the wayward animals of this world. At times, her resolve to pursue the passion was a strain on those folks around her; regardless of weather, or any other pressing circumstances – the little animals must be cared for “now.” Martha moved to her own beat and commitment to timeliness to various events and appointments were not a high priority. There was always time for one more stop on the way to and from home or work. However, this trait would on occasion lead to other’s others’ frustration. Martha had an impeccable work ethic, a quick wit, and a loving heart. She had high expectations for her children and grandchildren to be self-reliant, accountable to commitments, and to vigorously pursue their life’s passion. for her children and grandchildren—for them to be. . . She is survived by four children, four grandchildren, and a herd of cats: daughter Carla Mast and her sons Patterson and JoJo; son Joe McGuire and wife Ellen along with Sarah and Caleb; son John McGuire and his wife Tina and daughter Georgia; and daughter Missy Spencer, her husband Mark, and son Sam. She is also survived by her devoted friend, Angie Koontz, who cared for Martha as she would her own. A Celebration of Life Service will be held for Martha on January 10, 2015, at 2pm, at Saint Luke’s Episcopal Church in Salisbury, NC. The family will receive friends shortly thereafter at Martha’s home at 408 South Fulton Street. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to the Humane Society of Rowan County for the humane care of stray animals in her community. This excerpt from Rudyard Kipling’s – (not needed) “If” sums up Martha’s passion for perseverance in life. The excerpt from Rudyard Kipling’s “If” sums up Martha’s passion for perseverance in life: “If you can force .. . “If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew to serve your turn long after they are gone, and so hold on when there is nothing in you, except the Will which says to them: Hold On!” We will miss Martha as the days go by; she will be gone but not forgotten. Martha will be missed as the days go by; she will be gone but not forgotten.

Mrs. Martha M. Hawkins

April 3, 1937 - December 30, 2014