Martha Emily Wells

Martha Walls, 86, passed away on Saturday, August 22, 2026, at Ambiance Assisted Living in Maitland, Florida surrounded by her loving family. She was a proud native of Oliver Springs, Tennessee, a devoted mother, grandmother, and a woman who loved her family and community deeply.

Martha’s career included forty years in retail grocery retiring from the Kroger company with thirty-five years of service in Oak Ridge and Knoxville. She was deeply involved in her community and in the late 1960s, she was an active member of the Tennessee Jaycettes and served as a state vice president. Martha was also a longtime active member of the Oliver Springs Historical Society, an organization that reflected her great pride in and love for her hometown. After moving to Apopka, Florida, in 2011, she continued to cherish her memories and connections to Oliver Springs.

Martha was a lifelong member of First Baptist Church, Oliver Springs and while living in Florida, faithfully attended First Baptist Church, Apopka.

Family was at the heart of Martha’s life rarely missing an opportunity to support her children and grandchildren. She could often be found loudly cheering in the stands or along the sidelines at their sporting events, traveling extensively to be with them wherever they were competing. Her presence, encouragement, and unwavering support meant everything to her family.

Martha is preceded in death by her husband of 24 years, Ted Walls (d. 1980); her daughter, Malinda Hackworth (d. 2017); and her parents, Arthur and Grace Deaderick.

She is survived by her children, Danny Walls and his wife, Carol, of Powell, Tennessee; Ed Walls and his wife, Denise, of Apopka, Florida, by her grandchildren, Pastor Tony Walls and his wife, Emily, and their children, Abigail (Abby) and Isaiah; Jennifer Golden and her husband, Aaron, and their children, Carter and Avery; Jefferson, Preston, Kai, and Sophia, children of Ed and Denise; and Jessica (Jessie) Hackworth, daughter of Malinda.

Martha will be remembered for her fierce love of family, her deep faith, a strong work ethic, a pride in Oliver Springs, a commitment to her community, and the countless miles she traveled simply to be there for the people she loved. Her family will forever cherish the memories of a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who made showing up for those she loved one of the most important things in her life. She leaves behind a timeless love that will live on through her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and her friends.

Special thanks to the caregivers who cared for her with such patience and kindness in her final years. Your compassion gave her comfort and gave our family peace of mind knowing she was in such good hands. A special thank you to Angelina Rodriguez, whose devotion to her care meant more to our family than words can express.

The family will receive friends Saturday August 29, 2026, at 11:00 A.M. at Sharp Funeral Home in Oliver Springs. Funeral will follow at noon. Interment will be at 2:00 P.M. at Anderson Memorial Gardens, Clinton, TN. Services will be officiated by Pastor Tony Walls, Providence Church, Jefferson City, TN and Rev. Garvan Walls, Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church, Oliver Springs, TN. Funeral service provided by Sharp Funeral Home, 209 Roane St., Oliver Springs, TN 37840.