Martha Sue Hunter

Martha Sue Hunter, age 91, passed away peacefully in the comfort of her home on December 4, 2025. Born on March 13, 1934, in Jackson County to James Sheppard and Mary Lou Sheppard, Martha's life was defined by resilience, hard work, and an abundance of love.

Martha was preceded in death by her loving husband of 68 years, Mr. Donald J Hunter, her parents, James and Mary Lou Sheppard, sisters, Inez Brown and Annielee (Luxie) Harris, brothers Jesse B Jackson, Robert Lewis Sheppard, and James Albert Sheppard, her daughter Mary Annette Childers, sons James Edward Shields and Ernest Shields, grandsons Demetrius Shun Studivant and Hunter Alexander Robbins Pena, granddaughter Lisa Renee Childers, daughter-in- law Nancy Shields, sister-in-law’s Ollie B Littlejohn, Frankie Hunter, Lydia Thompson and brother-in-law Ed Hunter.

She is survived by her daughters Kimbler (Abel) Pena Patino and Barbara (Charles) Wilburn, and sons Billy Ray Shields and James Henry (Gail) Pulliam. In-laws Emma (Charles) Woods Doris Mintz, Ralph (Kathaleen) Thompson, James Earl Thompson, Henry (Dale) Thompson Charity Wheeler, Cheryl (Cedric) Niles, Laurie (John) Reed and Ken (Evelyn) Thompson

Bonus children Patrica Smith, Annie Nunley Janet Williams, Anthony (AJ) Johnson, Lamar Johnson. In addition, she is remembered by a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.

Martha began her journey with a ninth-grade education from Maxey Hill School. Determined to create a better life, she attended Gainesville College, earning a degree in Interior Design. Despite her humble beginnings, Martha was a self-taught stewardess who, with God's grace and mercy, secured a comfortable life for her family.

Martha's love for cooking was shared by her family and anyone fortunate enough to taste her meals. Countless hours of standing picking and caning food to put up when they had so little to make sure there was enough for everyone including friends.

She opened her home and heart by running a daycare from her home, welcoming many children from the community as her own until she retired. Martha was a dedicated member of Maxey Hill Church of Jefferson, Ga, and later joined Free Chapel Worship Center. She remained connected to her faith through her pastor, Jentezen Franklin, even when she could no longer attend in person.

Martha's passion for fashion was evident in her belief in always being presentable, even in the privacy of her home. This flair for style and grace added to the warmth and beauty of the place she made for her family. She was truly one of a kind and will be greatly missed.

Funeral services will be on Saturday, December 13, 2025 at 2:00 PM in the Chapel of Memorial Park Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Memory Park Cemetery. The family will be receiving friends on Friday, December 12, 2025 from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Memorial Park Funeral Home. The Family will also be receiving friends at their home at 3539 Pennington Trail, Gainesville, Ga from Saturday, December 6, 2025 until the day of the service on Saturday, December 13, 2025.

The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to her caregivers Mommy Linda Bailey, Andrea Pena, and Joyce Shields. for their countless love and care as they provided the best possible support for Martha a family could ask for. A special thank you to Karen Brown (Wyoming), Sandra Render, her nieces Annie Ruth Bulter, Teresa Martin and Cousin Joan (Chitter) Livingston for their additional support. A very special thanks to son-in-law Abel Pena Patino, for his deep love and compassion for his mother- in-law. The family also acknowledges the Pruitt Hospice Staff for their end-of-life support and care. Thank you all for everything.

Martha Sue Hunter's legacy will continue to live on in the hearts of those she loved and those who loved her. She will be greatly missed, but her spirit will remain as a beacon of strength, resilience, and love for her family and the community she so dearly cherished.

Memorial Park Funeral Home, 2030 Memorial Park Drive, Gainesville, Georgia 30504 is in charge of the arrangements.

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