Martha Ford Withers

Martha Ford Withers, 92, of Griffith Avenue died Sunday, May 25, 2008 in Owensboro. Born in Daviess County to the late James H. McKinney and Charlotte Holland McKinney, she was a life-long member of Settle Memorial United Methodist Church where she had been active in the United Methodist Women and was a member of the Isaac Shelby Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Mrs. Withers was a floral designer and was fortunate to have spent most of her life doing what she best loved. She married Byron C. Withers in 1935 and her first job in floral design was in Jacksonville, FL where he was in the Navy. When they returned to Owensboro she first worked at Tapscott's and then at Flowers by Paul, where she assisted with the establishment of the then new florist. She was later with Childers Florist, where she was a designer until her retirement. Preceding her in death were her husband Byron C. Withers in 1994, an infant son, James Lewis Withers, and her brother, William "Bill" McKinney.

Survivors include her daughters Susan Withers Michael and her husband Glen, and Charlotte Withers Clayton, all of Owensboro; her grandchildren, Karin Allen and her husband Bill of Birmingham, Christopher Michael and his wife Kimberly of Tuscaloosa, Susan Clayton Rockett and her husband Tim of Douglas, GA, and Jim Clayton and John Clayton, both of Louisville; eight great-grandchildren, a niece, and four nephews.

Visitation will be at Glenn Funeral Home from 4:00 until 8:00 p.m. Wednesday. Private services will be followed by burial in Rosehill Cemetery. Messages of condolence may be placed at www.glennfuneralhome.com