Margaret Rose Martin

Margaret Asbury Martin, daughter of the late Beatrice and Charles Asbury, was born in Concord, NC, on June 13, 1936. She departed this life on August 2, 2016, at the Huntersville Presbyterian Hospital Center. She is remembered as a devoted wife and mother, a loving sister, and a loyal friend, who will be greatly missed by those who knew and loved her. She was also a gifted teacher, who motivated and inspired her students to strive for excellence and to reach their highest goals. She had a zest for life, a generous heart, and a wonderful sense of humor.

Margaret, or "Sis," as she was known to her family and friends, began her education at the parochial school of Grace Lutheran Church, where she completed grades K through 7. She then attended Logan High School, where she completed grades 8 through 12. Margaret demonstrated a genuine interest in music at an early age, which blossomed when she learned to play the piano and began to sing with the school choir. During her years at Logan High School, she distinguished herself as a gifted singer and became a leading soprano soloist. She won top honors as a vocalist at many regional and state music festivals during her high school years. While still a teenager, Margaret became the official organist and choir director at Grace Lutheran Church, a position which she continued to hold well into adulthood.

Upon graduation from high school, Margaret enrolled at Barber-Scotia College in Concord, NC. During her college years, Margaret continued to earn kudos as both a talented vocalist and an excellent student.Her musical gifts also earned her scholarships during her college years, which helped her to complete her education. She graduated with honors from Barber-Scotia College, with a Bachelor's Degree in English and a minor in French. She was later awarded a National English Foundation Grant and went on to complete the Master's Degree in Classroom Teaching at Michigan State University in Lansing, MI.

Margaret enjoyed a long and successful career as a secondary school teacher in two different states. She began her teaching career at George Washington Carver High School in Kannapolis, NC, as a  teacher of English and French. She also served as the choir director at the high school. It was at this time that she met and married her late husband, Louis Martin, who was a biology teacher as well as a football and basketball coach at the same high school. The couple later became the proud parents of a son, Marcus Louis Martin. When Margaret began teaching at George Washington Carver High School, it was during the days of segregation. Later, when the schools of Kannapolis were integrated, Margaret became the first black teacher of English and French at AL Brown High School, the largest white high school in Kannapolis. This appointment had ground-breaking importance at the time.

Following a successful tenure at AL Brown High School, Margaret and her husband, Louis, moved to Battle Creek, MI, where they both held teaching positions in the Battle Creek Public Schools. Margaret completed a long career as a language instructor in Battle Creek and eventually retired from that district after more than 20 years of service. Throughout her professional career, Margaret was also actively involved in such professional organizations as the Michigan Education Association, the National Education Association, and Phi Delta Kappa Professional Sorority.

Margaret is survived by her son, Marcus L. Martin; granddaughter, Michelle M. Bryan; sister, Josephine A. Chargois; brothers, Charles A. Asbury, John H. Asbury, Robert F. Asbury, William R. Asbury, and Melvin L. Asbury; nieces, Kimberly Faulkner, Audra Asbury, Melanie Asbury, and Stephanie Farmer; nephews, Jacques Chargois, Gant Asbury, and Bret Asbury; as well as a host of additional relatives and friends.

                                                    Acknowledgment

 The family of the late Margaret A. Martin wishes to acknowledge with deep appreciation the many expressions of kindness and love during this time of bereavement.

  A Memorial service will be held Tuesday August 9, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at Raymer-Kepner Funeral Home (16901 Old Statesville Road, Huntersville, NC 28078).  The family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service. 
A Repast will be held at the family home following the service.

 In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Asbury Scholarship Fund (#2472), Foundation for the Carolinas, 220 North Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC 28202, https://www.fftc.org/asbury-scholarship-fund,  or the Louis and Margaret Martin Educational Support Endowment Fund.  32 West Michigan Ave., Suite 1 Battle Creek MI 49017, http://www.bccfoundation.org/fund/bcpsef

**The family has requested to please contact Fairfield Inn Charlotte Northlake, 9230 Harris corner Prkwy, Charlotte, NC 28269 for discounted hotel rates**