THE OBITUARY N24 Martha Ashford, transitioned from Earth to Heaven, on November 19, 2012. She was born to Walter Ashford and Mary Chavis in Saint John County, Florida. After the death of her mother, Martha was raised by her grandparents, Reverend and Mrs. Peter Chavis. Martha attended public school in Florida and later move to Detroit, Michigan. While there she met Mr. James Eddie Snell and in 1954 they were united in marriage. This union produced three children: Romona, David and Dwayne. Martha traveled at large; living in Oklahoma, France, China, Maryland, California and ultimately Utah. While living in Barstow, California, Martha worked as a teacher aide and later worked for Headstart. After years of marriage Martha and James Eddie divorced. Under the leadership of Elder Nathaniel Jones at Barstow Church of God in Christ; Martha was saved, sanctified, and received the gift of the Holy Ghost. She served in many areas of ministry including deaconess, secretary, junior church mother, and prayer warrior. She was later licensed as an Evangelist Missionary. While serving as a deaconess at Barstow COGIC, Martha met Bobby R. Allen and, in-due-course, the | two united in holy matrimony; September 5, 1971. Bobby brought four children into their union: Bobby Jr., Linder, Meliane, and Brenda. The blended family also included her nephew Victor Stanley and foster sons Dennis Harris and Kelly Quenton. While residing in Ogden, Utah the family served under the leadership of Elder David Griffin at Griffin Temple Church of God in Christ. Martha worked for the Headstart program in Ogden until her acceptance into the Teacher Core Program at Weber State College. Upon graduation, she was employed with Ogden City School District for more than twenty years. While Martha was employed as an instructor, she was also a full time mother, homemaker, supported her husband’s ministry, and maintained her own ministerial work including: Sunday School Teacher, Missionary, Deaconess, Bible Band President and Teacher, District YPWW Chairlady, District Missionary: Ogden and Salt Lake Districts G1 years), Department of Women, Executive Board Chairperson, Marshall, president of Minister Wives, Charles Harrison Mason System of Bible College Curriculum Coordinator, Fundraiser Coordinator, and Pastor’s Aide. Martha also served as the first lady at: Community COGIC; Idaho Falls, Idaho (1980), Ebenezer COGIC; Salt Lake City, Utah (1984), Griffin Memorial COGIC; Ogden, Utah (1991): and, in 1993, she became the first lady of the Utah Jurisdiction. Although Martha held multiple positions within the church she also worked in her community. She established several charities to include a food pantry, an on-going clothing giveaway, and was named YWCA Woman of the Year for opening her home to over thirty people in need. Over the years Martha has helped countless people and volunteered thousands of community hours, including being an active Jail Ministry Worker. Martha was a woman of faith and a woman of prayer. Her passion was ministering to the needs of others and encouraging us to know Jesus Christ for ourselves. One of her favorite sayings was, “Yes; I’m hard, my mom raised me hard, but you can’t let the devil stop you!” Martha is survived by her husband, her children, her 19 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren, nieces, nephews and friends. She was preceded in death by one grandson, Bobby Ray Allen III, her parents, grandparents, 2 brothers; Isaiah and James and 2 sisters; Dora and Mary.