Martha Jean Winn Williams

So ends a life of compassion and joy, and so begins life eternal. Just before midnight Martha Jean Winn Williams left this world to join her Lord and Savior. She was surrounded by her children and grandchildren as she took her last breath. She fought several battles with cancer and now she is completely healed. She joins her husband, Jimmy, and parents, Austin and Oletta Winn, along with a host of ancestors. We, her family left behind, celebrate her life and mourn our loss of her.

Martha began her career in social work in 1984 in Ripley, TN, working at the Department of Social Services. That same year she received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Criminal Justice while attending Memphis State University. She continued her education graduating from the University of Tennessee in 1990, earning a Master of Science in Social Work and becoming a Licensed Clinical Social worker in 1994. She worked an extensive amount of time for Professional Counseling Services, Inc., retiring in 2004. She extended her knowledge to others by teaching students at the University of Tennessee, Martin, Ripley Branch. She also provided therapy services to veterans at the VA Outpatient Clinic. Throughout her career, Martha achieved many awards and always maintained her knowledge with an extensive list of post-graduate professional training. She loved to travel, care for her dogs, and quilt.

Those left to cherish Martha’s memory are her sons, David Bowles (Julia) and Burt Williams (Sharon); grandsons, Joshua Williams (Sarah) and Joseph Williams (Jazmyn); brothers, Austin Winn (Cloe) and William Winn (Robyn); sister, Mary Love Piercy (James); and a multitude of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends, as well as her beloved dogs, Chrissie and Bear.

A memorial service will be held at North Morganton United Methodist Church on Saturday July 19, 2025 at 1:00pm. The family will receive friends and family prior to the service from 11:30am-1:00pm.

The family will also receive friends from 10 to 11 a.m., Saturday, July 26, 2025 at Faith Church in Cherry, TN with a memorial service starting at 11 a.m. in the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to North Morganton United Methodist Church, 990 Sanford Dr., Morganton, NC 28655, Higgins Methodist Church, 101 N Main St., Burnsville, NC 28714, or Christ Church in Gastonia, 3415 Union Rd., Gastonia, NC 28056.

Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center is assisting the family with the arrangements.