Martha Nell Russell Havens, 80, departed this life for the life eternal at her daughter’s residence in Nettleton on Friday, November 24, 2017 after an extended illness. Martha was diagnosed with cancer one month after her husband, Charles Curtis Havens, died on August 13, 20003. A fighter and Christian warrior all her life, she was the longest consistent patient in the history of the Cancer Center in Tupelo. Born December 18, l936 in Calhoun County, Mississippi to the late Willie Odell and Lorene Turner Russell, she grew up farming with her family and lived her whole life in or near the Wardville Community. She graduated from Derma High School in l956. Martha will be best remembered for her near 25 year career as Manager of the School lunch rooms at Calhoun City and Vardaman Public Schools. A master cook, she loved seeing children well fed and happy. She had a lifelong love of flowers and owned in her lifetime Petals and Lace, a flower shop on the square in Calhoun City and, after retirement from the school system, Petals and Lace in Derma. A Godly daughter, sister,wife, mother and grandmother, she will be missed by a grateful family and large host of friends.
Her life will be celebrated at a service at 2 PM Today (Sun. 11/26/17) at the New Providence Baptist Church, where she was a longtime member, with Bro. John Stewart officiating. Private burial will follow in the Church Cemetery. Visitation will be from 1 PM-service time today at the Church south of Vardaman. Holland Funeral Directors, Tupelo Chapel, is honored to be serving the family.
Martha is survived by two daughters, Pam Monaghan and her husband, Gary of Nettleton and Shelia Reems and her husband, Ed of Bruce. One son, Charles Lynn Havens and his wife, Anita of Bruce. 2 granddaughter’s whom she greatly admired, Dana Monaghan of Nettleton and Wendy Daughrill (Matt) of Bruce. 5 great grandchildren, Dakota Ragland, Landon Langley, Abbie Daughrill, Bella Daughrill and Adam Love. 1 sister, Sue Barnett
and 1 brother, Billy Russell (Shirley) all of Calhoun City. Several nieces, nephews, cousins and their families.
Pallbearers will be Phil Lucius, Chad Lucius, Lynn Lucius, Donald Havens, Steve Barnett and Steven Havens.
