Margaret Sue Martin, 89, of Columbia, died Tuesday, September 30, 2025, of natural causes. Born May 18, 1936, she was daughter of the late Ashton Von Lilly and Helen Greene Lilly.
Margaret Sue was born in Beaver, West Virginia and attended Shady Springs High School. Later she took technical classes to become a Lab Technician. At about the age of 21 she meet Jerald Martin and later married. They enjoyed military life for 20 years then Jerry retired which brought them to Columbia SC in 1975.
Margaret Sue was a devout Christian woman. While Jerry was in the service, Margaret Sue led the church Women's Group and taught Vacation Bible School. After Jerry retired, she taught the older ladies Sunday School Class at North Trenholm Baptist Church and then went on to serve at Spring Valley Baptist Church where she taught with Keith Brownfield the BYKOTA Sunday School Class. She was also president of the church BALL Club.
Margaret Sue enjoyed cake decorating and catering weddings. She did work at North Trenholm Baptist Church as the church hostess for Wednesday night suppers and other church functions. Margaret Sue enjoyed cake decorating and shared that talent as an instructor for cake decorating at Midland's Technical College, Harbison Campus. She enjoyed ALL of this, BUT her greatest joy was her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was proud of them ALL!
Margaret Sue's husband, Jerald Martin, predeceased her in 2016; surviving are her children, Diane Martin Gunter (Greg); Lynn Martin Davis (John) and Eric Martin; grandchildren, Stephanie Profilet Bolser (David); Brandon Gunter (Leslie); James Gunter (Lenae ); Michelle Thilges Griggs (Trevor); Nikki Thilges Philipp (Mark Philipp); Christina Thilges Hazen (Tim); Garrett Davis; Art Martin and honorary grandchild Zach Davis; great grandchildren, Madison Gunter; Jacob Gunter; Jayden Gunter; Kensley Gunter; Liberty Griggs; Tristan Hazen; Aiden Hazen and Natalie Hazen.
The celebration of life for Margaret Sue will be held at 12:30 o'clock, Wednesday, October 8th, at Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, 7600 Trenholm Road Ext., Columbia. Burial will follow at 2 o'clock in Fort Jackson National Cemetery, 4170 Percival Road, Columbia. The family will receive friends from 5 until 7 o'clock Tuesday evening at Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, 7600 Trenholm Road Ext., Columbia.