Martha Ann Washam Readling's Obituary
Martha Ann Washam Readling, 94, of Davidson, NC, passed away Sunday May 25, 2025.
The eleventh of twelve children born to parents Jesse Wilson Washam, Sr., and Mary Elizabeth Knox, she was surrounded with love on the family farm and in the Ramah Church Community. Martha Ann shared that love with a thoughtful and gentle nature throughout her life.
She was a hard worker and enjoyed music, singing in the choir, and gardening. Martha Ann was an excellent cook and was appreciated at family gatherings for her desserts such as coconut cake and chess squares, and savory dishes such as egg salad, fried okra, chicken bog, egg-in-the-hole, and fried chicken. She loved the lake and she loved the mountains, but most of all she loved her family, of which there were many.
Martha Ann and her husband, Rev. James M. Readling raised four children while he attended Davidson College, Columbia Seminary, and then served Hopewell Presbyterian Church in Claussen, SC. After moving to Columbia, SC, Martha Ann taught kindergarten at Forest Lake Elementary School for 25 years.
Mrs. Readling was preceded in death by her husband “Jimmy” and three of their children, and one grandchild. In the order of their passing are son Barry Madison Readling of Greenwood, SC, grand-daughter Martha Evelyn Estes of Mooresville, NC, daughter Patricia Lynne Swing of Mooresville, NC, and son James Rodney Readling of Davidson, NC.
Martha Ann is survived by her son Bryan Readling of Davidson, NC, eight grandchildren, and ten great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by all eleven siblings, Fannie Bell McLemore, William Jackson Washam, Mary Alice Washam, Fred Wilson Washam, Joe Knox Washam, Margaret Elizabeth Kelly, Robert Lee Washam, Nell Thomason Caldwell, Nancy Catherine Gray, Emily Barnhardt Ewart, and Jesse Wilson Washam, Jr..
Funeral services will be at 1 p.m., Friday June 6, 2025 at Ramah Presbyterian Church in Huntersville, NC. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Davidson-Cornelius Child Development Center at www.dc-childdevelopmentcenter.org.
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