Martha Ann Williams, 75, passed away February 27, 2021. She was born on June 8, 1945, the fourth child of Ora Cecil and Mary Williams. She became an exceptional homemaker and a seamstress in her times of youth. She loved her parents and her siblings very much and even cared for them in later years. She was a graduate of Mooreville High School. On September 1, 1967, Martha Williams became Martha Pharr as she married her husband Edwin. When they married, she became a wife of a minister, and later a pastor’s wife. Not long after they had married, she became the mother of twin boys, Richard and Rodney. Just a few years later, Malcolm was born and soon after, Phillip. She loved her family very much and they were the light of her life. In later years, she became a grandmother, and she loved her grandchildren very much. Martha was a talented seamstress and worked in many factories for many years. She was a hard worker, and it was evident with the work she accomplished. She loved her co-workers and they loved her. She was well-respected in all the places that she worked. Martha was a member of Pearly Gates Church of God of Prophecy. She was a pastor’s wife that was beloved by all congregations that she served. She was generous, kind, and loved all the members of the congregations to whom she ministered. She was a caring pastor’s wife and was known to be the first to do what was necessary in the church, as well as anonymously. In many instances, she would anonymously give to church members in need. She sacrificed her own personal time, gave money, and cooked food for the benefit of the Church and its people whenever called upon. She would pick up children as Edwin studied for his sermon, she would lead the singing, and she would visit and care for the church membership with Edwin. She served the Church of God of Prophecy congregations of Piney Grove Church, south of Tremont, MS; Smith’s Chapel in Philadelphia, MS; Mount Carmel, north of Tremont, MS; Amory Church in Amory, MS; Chapel Hill in Belmont, MS; McComb Church in McComb, MS; Liberty Church in Liberty, MS; Pearly Gates in Tremont, MS; Bethany Church in Okolona, MS; and again, presently at the Pearly Gates Church.
She is survived by her husband, Edwin Pharr; her children, Rodney Pharr (Ponda), Tremont, MS, Malcolm Pharr, Hamilton, AL and Phillip Pharr (Galen) of Charleston, MS; six grandchildren, Leah Pharr, Taylor Pharr (Fallyn), Jacob Pharr, Olivia Pharr, Ellie Pharr and Jon Issac Pharr and one sister, Della Faye Walton of Ballardsville.
She was preceded in death by her son, Richard Pharr; her parents; her sisters-Johnnie Reynolds and Mary Green and one brother-Cecil Williams.
Funeral services will be Monday, March 1, 2 p.m. at Deaton Funeral Home Chapel, Belmont, MS with Bishop Billy West officiating. Burial will be in Old Bethel Cemetery. Visitation will be Monday, 12:30-2 p.m. at Deaton Funeral Home. Deaton Funeral Home, Belmont, MS will be in charge of arrangements. Social distancing and masks are required.
Pallbearers will be her sons and grandsons, Rodney Pharr, Malcolm Pharr, Phillip Pharr, Taylor Pharr, Jacob Pharr and Issac Pharr. Honorary pallbearer will be Jimmy Gattis.
