“Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.”
Proverbs 31:30
CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF
M . Martha Jane Faison
Friday, October 31, 2025 11:00AM
Viewing | 9:00AM - 11:00AM
First Corinthian Baptist Church 5101 Pine Street | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19143
Our
Reverend James C. Kinchen, Jr., Pastor
Reverend Gerald Bess, Eulogist Pastor, New Commandment Christian Church | Atlanta, Georgia
beloved mother, grandmother and aunt
“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.”
Psalms
116:15
And Let Her Works Praise Her...
“Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies. She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. Her children shall rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her.”
Such was the blessed life of Martha Faison who was born on January 18, 1935 in Good Hope, Georgia. She was the fourth of eight children born into the family of the late Almon and Macy Montgomery.
Martha was a product of the Georgia public school system. After graduation, she attended nursing school in Rome, GA where she gained her practical nurses license. She worked and excelled in the medical field for more than 45 years.
Martha’s religious training began at home with a Wednesday night prayer meeting led by her mother, Macy, and others in the community. In addition to the prayer meetings, every Saturday night, Macy would teach her children a different hymn from the “Old Gospel Pearl” hymn book. Her childhood learning led Martha to have a love for the Lord and for music. She had several favorite hymns such as “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” and “Kneel at the Cross.” Martha was always ready to sing and pray.
Martha joined the Good Hope Baptist Church at an early age and even then, served her church as an usher and in the choir. The Good Hope Baptist Church was burned to the ground by the Ku Klux Klan in the early “60’s”; however, the church was rebuilt and still stands today.
Martha joined the First Corinthian Baptist Church in 1964 as a result of by Hunter.
Martha came to Philadelphia in 1959, settled in the West Philadelphia area and joined the Liberty Baptist Church under the late Rev. R. L. Hunter. She was hired only three days after she arrived by the Hahnemann University Hospital, where she remained employed for the next 40 years. Martha’s passion for nursing was more than a job, it was her “calling.” She truly loved her patients and made certain they got the “extra” care they needed. This was a special blessing since many First Corinthian members were treated there. Martha made certain the “red carpet” treatment was extended to each of them.
her children attending BTU with the late Sis. Doris Baggart. The late Rev. J. W. Thomas was the pastor at that time. Martha was true to her name as she immediately began working diligently with several ministries at the church.
She served faithfully on the Adult Choir, was President of the Home Mission Board,Vice President of the Prayer Band, a devoted Sunday school teacher, Bible Study student, and was a dedicated member of the Evangelistic Ministry and was a mother of the church.
Martha had a genuine love for helping others. She continued to care for the sick and those in need, long after she retired. She would regularly visit them at home, in the hospital, or at the nursing home. She always made time to visit and those visits always included singing, prayer, and some sort of delicious meal she had prepared.
Not only was Martha a gifted nurse and caregiver, she was also a cherished mother and loving grandmother.
She believed in training her children in the way they should go, and so, believing, she instilled in Leroy, Ann, and Regina, the fear of the Lord. She taught them the importance of prayer and trust in the Lord. She was the personification of a caring, sharing mother; not only for her own children, but also their friends and acquaintances. Many have been blessed to sit at her table and partake of those delicious home dinners and fabulous desserts. Everyone looked forward to getting a slice of her German Chocolate cake or sweet potato pie.
God, in His omniscience and loving mercy, called this precious jewel of a woman to Himself on October 16, 2025.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Henry Faison; son, Leroy Franklin Jr. and her four sisters, Lillian Perkins, Mary Gatling, Alma Arnold, and Celia Boyd.
Martha leaves a wealth of precious, loving memories to be cherished by her son: Richard “Ricky” (Victoria); two daughters, Angela “Ann” Bess (Gerald) and Regina “Gigi” Franklin; seven grandchildren: Marcel Moore (Vern), Brittani Travis, Morgan Franklin,Tanisha Bess, Alexess Bess, Gerald Isaac Bess and Damien Harvey (Amanda); three great-grandchildren, Chaz Moore, Monroe Moore, and Ava Harvey; one God-daughter, Tylar Montgomery; along with a host of other nieces, nephews, relatives, countless friends and her First Corinthian church family.
Sorrowfully submitted, The Family
The Procession
The Closing of the Bier
The Call to Worship
The Hymn of Praise. .
The Reading of the Scripture
Old Testament
Order of Service
“When We All Get to Heaven”
Psalm 46:1-11
.Reverend Emery Arnold New Testament .
The Prayer of Comfort
The Selection. .
Acknowledgement of Condolences
. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 . . . . . . Reverend Richard Faison
The Reading of the Obituary (Silently)
The Solo Reflections
The Selection. . .
The Eulogy
The Prayer of Departure
The Recession. . .
Reverend Gerald Bess, Pastor New Commandment Christian Church; Atlanta, Georgia
e Interment
Fernwood Cemetery 6501 E. Baltimore Avenue | Lansdowne, Pennsylvania 19050
e Repa
Family and friends will gather for the repast immediately following the interment at the J.W. Thomas Hall
First Corinthian Baptist Church 5101 Pine Street | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19143
Sweet Memories
A FALLEN LIMB
A limb has fallen from the family tree. I keep hearing a voice that says, “Grieve not for me. Remember the best times, the laughter, the song. The good life I lived while I was strong. Continue my heritage, I’m counting on you. Keep smiling and surely the sun will shine through. My mind is at ease, my soul is at rest. Remembering all, how I truly was blessed. Continue traditions, no matter how small. Go on with your life, don’t worry about falls. I miss you all dearly, so keep up your chin.
Until the day comes we’re together again.”
– Author Unknown
Pa Bea
Reverend Emery Arnold
Terry Arnold
Gerald Isaac Bess
Damien Harvey
Dorverne Moore
Ronald Ray
Flower Ladies
Nieces
and Granddaughters
Acknowledgments
The family of the late Martha Jane Faison gratefully acknowledges all acts of kindness, heartfelt condolences and love rendered during our bereavement period. We extend a heartfelt thank you to Lynn Harmon, who lovingly cared for Martha during her final year of life. Please continue to remember us in your prayers.
4203 Haverford Avenue
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104
215-222-2828
www.terryfuneralhome.com
is program was designed and printed in loving memory of Nana by Papered Wonders, Inc. www.paperedwonders.com
