Anna Delle Huggins Martin

Anna Delle Huggins Martin

Anna Delle Huggins Martin, 107, passed away on Wednesday, November 23, 2022 at her home.

The funeral service will be held on Friday, December 2nd, 12 noon at Leaksville United Methodist Church in Eden, NC. Burial will be in Lawson Cemetery.  A visitation will be held at Fair Funeral Home, Thursday, December 1st from 4-6pm.

Delle was born on Thanksgiving Day, November 25, 1915 to Alma Inez Parnell Huggins and Dudley Grady Huggins in Hemingway, SC.  She moved to Leaksville (now Eden) with her parents and two sisters in 1924 when she was nine years old.  She lived in Eden for 98 years.

Delle graduated with honors from Leaksville High School in 1932.  Thinking she might become a teacher, she began her college life at Woman's College, UNC.  She was there for one year and then decided to take a two-year business course in order to become a secretary.  She enrolled at Salem College, where she completed the required course of study in shorthand and typing. When her father became the manager of Jones Motor Company (Boulevard), Delle became his secretary. She later worked for Dr. Kenan Casteen and Dr. C. V. Tyner at Leaksville Hospital as a medical stenographer.  After leaving the hospital, she began her approximately thirty five year career at Home Savings and Loan Association, where she became secretary of the board.  She retired in 1980. 

Delle was very active in her community.  She was a member of the Leaksville Junior Service League, the Junior Woman's Club, and past president of the Leaksville-Spray History Club.  She was an active member of the Leaksville United Methodist Church where she enjoyed her great appreciation of majestic music.  She began singing in the choir as a teenager and played in the handbell choir until she was 99 years old.  As well as enjoying her friends and family, Delle was an avid bridge player and book reader.  She marveled at all things beautiful in nature and was especially appreciative and proud of her husband's Japanese garden in their back yard. She treasured many trips to Holden Beach with her family.

Delle gave selflessly and loved whole heartedly.  She was a great example of generosity, determination, strength and kindness.  Her quick wit was always expressed with a twinkle in her eye!  Above all, she was strong in her faith, always faithful to her Christian nurture and to her spiritual goals.  She was an inspiration to those that knew her.

In addition to her parents, Delle was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Charles Keene Martin; her sister Frances Huggins Robinson of Jamestown, NC; her sister, Wanna Huggins McAnally of High Point, NC and her great grandson, infant Charles Michael Ferguson.

Delle is survived by her two daughters, Elizabeth Ann Martin Ferguson and her husband, Lt. Col. George A. Ferguson Jr., of Reidsville, NC and Melanie Keene Martin Robertson and her husband, George D. Robertson, Jr of Fountain Valley, CA.  The following grandsons survive: Al Ferguson and his wife Jennifer, Marty Ferguson and his wife Jessie, Rob Ferguson and his wife Sara, Chris Robertson and his wife Jace, and Ryan Robertson and his wife Tracy.  Also surviving are eight great grandchildren.

The family wishes to express their gratitude to the special caregivers who attended to Delle's needs.  Their compassion, warmth, sense of humor and skills are deeply appreciated, especially their sincere love for Delle.

Burial will be at Lawson Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Leaksville United Methodist Church Music program, 603 Henry Street, Eden, NC 27288.