Blenda Ray (Hawley) Martin

Blenda Ray (Hawley) Martin, age 82, of Edgewater, Maryland, departed this life on Monday, March 20, 2023 in her apartment.

Born on September 19, 1940 in Kanes Creek (Kingwood), she was the daughter of the late Henry Lloyd and Maxine Elva Gamble Hawley.  After graduating in 1958 from Masontown High School, she went to work for C & P Telephone company as a switch board operator in Wheeling, WV in 1959, then transferring to the Washington D.C. office in 1961.  She later became a Manager of Operator Services for C&P, Bell Atlantic, AT&T, and Verizon over next 30 years. She retired in 1991 as Staff Manager for Verizon.  After her retirement she worked part time for Best Connection Travel Agency, Hospice of the Chesapeake, and for Davidsonville Elementary School.  She was enthusiastic about traveling, loved the beach, and cherished time together with friends and family.  She especially loved to help young families by baby sitting or showing up for whatever else they needed.  She was passionate about reading, crocheting, cleaning, and most importantly, spending time with her grandkids!

She is survived by her son, Steven Martin and spouse Crystal of Eldersburg, MD; her daughter, Sherri Martin-Arnold and spouse Douglas of Davidsonville, MD; two brothers, Richard Hawley and spouse Nancy of Eagle River, AK; Kermit Hawley and spouse Judy of Kingwood, WV; four grandchildren, Joshua Martin, Kyla Martin, Matthew Arnold, Caleb Arnold; and three great-grandchildren, Samuel Martin, Bowen Martin, and Leena Martin.

She was preceded in her death by her son, Kevin L. Martin in 1965, her father Henry L. Hawley in 1969, her husband Norman A. Martin in 2003; her mother Maxine in 2012 her brothers Charles “Chuck” Hawley in 1974, Harold “Buck” Hawley in 2008, and Ronnie Hawley in 2015; and her sister Wilda Hawley-Holman in 1984.

Friends may call at Kingwood Funeral Home, 295 South Price Street, Kingwood on Monday, March 27 from 1 - 3 pm and 5 - 7 pm.  A visitation will also be held at the Kanes Creek United Methodist Church, 554 Moran Road, Kingwood on Tuesday, March 28 from 10:00 am until the funeral hour at 11 am with the Reverend Dr. Michael Metzger officiating.  Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens. 

Personal condolences may be offered to the family online at www.kingwoodfuneralhomewv.com.

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