Martha Sheppard Thompson High, 89, of Benton, passed away on Tuesday, December 19, 2023 at Calvert City Nursing and Rehab.
She was born on Thursday, January 7, 1937, near the banks of the Ohio River on her aunt and uncle’s farm in Livingston County, Kentucky. Martha was the oldest daughter of the late Connie Coleman Sheppard and the late Meddie (Cress) Sheppard.
She graduated from Almo High School and attended Murray State College, where she majored in Home Economics. Martha was a homemaker in every sense of the word, and taught piano lessons for several years. She was a member of Benton First Baptist Church, where she taught children in Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, and later, a ladies class, while participating in various mission groups.
Martha is survived by her daughter, Vicki (Brooks) Tynes of Benton; two sons, Kerry (Doris) Thompson of Elizabethtown and Randy (Faye Lynn) Thompson of Athens, Alabama; four grandchildren, Jeremy (Michelle) Tynes of Benton, Seth Tynes of Benton, Jared (Katie) Tynes of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and Tala Thompson, of Athens, Alabama; and eight great grandchildren, Addison Tynes, Delaney Tynes, Mylie Tynes, Gracie Tynes, Hailey Tynes, Abbie Tynes, Penny Tynes, and Liam Tynes.
She was preceded in death by her parents; one brother, Karon (Shep) Sheppard; one sister, June Cossler Rice; an infant sister, Connie Sheppard; her first husband, Billy Ray Thompson; and her second husband, Fred High.
Memorial contributions may take the form of donations made to the nonprofit skilled nursing facility, Calvert City Nursing and Rehab; 1201 5th Ave, Calvert City, KY 42029.
A funeral service will be held at 12:00 PM on Friday, December 22, 2023 at Collier Funeral Home with Bro. Jeremy Hudgin officiating.
The visitation will be from 10:00 AM until 12:00 PM on Friday, December 22, 2023 at Collier Funeral Home.
Burial will follow the funeral service at Marshall County Memory Gardens.
Collier Funeral Home, Inc. is in charge of arrangements.