Obituaries – Their Stories Live On

Martha, a beautiful flower, was picked from the garden of life on earth and planted as a flower that never fades, in God’s eternal garden.

Martha E. Bandy departed her earthly home for her heavenly home at the age of 92 years old, just a month shy of her 93rd birthday, on January 4, surrounded and comforted by the love of her children and Raleigh General Hospital’s CCU Nurse, Angel, who was truly an angel.

Martha was the Matriarch of the Smith and Bandy family who wore her crown proudly.

Martha grew up in the coal mining town of Glen White, West Virginia, the oldest of ten children born to John and Ruth Smith. Martha was a graduate of Stratton High School.

Martha learned at an early age how to care for her family, as she helped to deliver several of her younger siblings and raised them as well. Although Martha aspired to become a nurse, economic conditions did not allow her an opportunity to pursue formal training. She worked as an assistant in the office of Dr. Christian in Lester, WV, before her marriage to the love of her life, Eugene Bandy.

Martha and Eugene together raised four beautiful children, one daughter and three sons. While her husband worked nights in the coal mines, Martha was the disciplinarian, and she did not spare the rod to spoil the child. Martha would often be asked the question of how she raised such fine children, especially the boys, which she responded to by saying with much prayer!

Martha, during her working career when the family had to relocate to Indianapolis, IN due to the loss of employment by her husband, a coalminer, put her trust in the Lord, meditating on her favorite scripture from John 14:1, as she searched for employment in Indianapolis while pregnant with her son, Jesse. Her prayers were answered when she became the first African American clerk to work at a popular grocery store in Indianapolis, IN, which was quite an opportunity at that time. Martha said that many African Americans excited about seeing an African American clerk, would stand in her long lines just to have the opportunity to be waited on by her.

Martha, when the newly formed Headstart Program was established in the former East Park Elementary School, served on the Headstart committee with pride, as she knew the importance of giving children a Headstart, with the skills needed to succeed in school and life.

Martha, was active in her church on the hospitality committee, often making her famous lemon cakes for special occasions. Martha was also known for making delicious apple jelly from her backyard apple tree and would give the jelly away to family and friends who came to visit. When her backyard apple tree produced during this past summer, she had her great-grandsons gather bags of apples so that she could peel and freeze them one more time. In previous years,

Martha also canned her vegetables from her vegetable garden which was her favorite place to be in the summer. Her motto was “waste not, want not.”

Martha was an avid reader, who loved history, politics and listening to the daily news to stay abreast of current issues in the community and world.

Martha, because she enjoyed encouraging others, would often send nice greeting cards or notes, being careful to select just the right words on the cards. She enjoyed collecting all sorts of memorabilia, ink pens with special emblems, stamps, buttons. A few years ago, when Martha visited the Washington, DC office of former Congressman Nick Rahall, where her daughter worked, she spotted a lapel pin in a basket on his table and just had to have it! Her daughter, Vickie nearly fainted when she found out that her mom had lifted the lapel pin from her boss’s office.

Martha, in 2010 had the pleasure of attending the opening session of Congress in the U.S. House of Representatives. Sitting high in the gallery of the U. S. House of Representatives, she had a bird’s eye view of several Members of Congress that she had only seen on Television.

Martha, most importantly, witnessed the delivery of the invocation for the opening session of Congress, by Bishop Fred T. Simms. On this occasion, Martha joined Bishop Simms and his wife for a once in a lifetime invitation by then Speaker Nancy Pelosi, to take in the breathtaking views of historical buildings and monuments along the National Mall from the Speaker’s balcony.

Martha has been in close proximity to former U. S. President, Bill Clinton, the late Senator Robert C. Byrd, former Congressman Alan Mollohan, and other political figures, including her dear friend former Congressman Nick J. Rahall and former City of Beckley Mayor, Robert Rappold.

Martha, in life, experienced both joy and sadness, especially when she lost the love of her life, Eugene, to whom she had been married for 54 years. Martha always stood firm on her faith in God and would often testify about His goodness. Martha’s favorite scripture is from John 14:1.

Martha suffered a stroke in 2014 that initially left her unable to speak or write, which she had to relearn. Shortly thereafter, Martha because an author of a short story, entitled “CoalMine,” published in the book, “A Living History of Southern West Virginia: Company Script Cards and Battery Radio.” The story is about Martha’s life growing up in the coal mining town of Glen White, WV written informally in her own words.

Martha was honored to sit on the Mother’s Board of the Welcome Baptist Church, where she was a faithful member for over 60 years. Just like the former Queen of England, when attending church, Martha always wore a gorgeous hat to adorn her head on Sundays. During the pandemic, Martha did not stop dressing for church. Although, in recent years, Martha was unable to physically get out to church, she put on her Sunday attire and attended church by tuning in to the Sunday morning radio broadcasts and Heart of God Ministries via You Tube. Yes, Martha knew how to get on You Tube on her TV and how to retrieve her emails, as she often looked forward to receiving special emails from her children. Martha’s son, Dallas, would take her photo and send it out to the other children and Vickie would take a “Sunday Selfie” to send to her mother every Sunday.

Martha was loved by her entire family, friends, and the East Park community, where she reigned as the oldest mother in the community. For 92 years, Martha carried a quiet inner strength derived from her Christian faith and she taught her children in the ways of God.

Martha was predeceased by her husband, Eugene Bandy of 54 years, stillborn son, Stephen Ellis Bandy, brothers, John, Thomas, William, Lawrence, and Curtis Smith.

Martha is survived by her children, Vickie L. Bandy of Bowie, MD, Dallas (Joyce) of Beckley, WV; Jesse (Karen) of Landis, NC and Michael Band of Pasadena, MD; grandchildren, Daris (Monique Bandy), Derrick (Teya Bandy), Vaughn and Vashti L. Bandy, all of MD; great grandchildren, Demarcus, Dylan and Gavin Bandy and Kendryck Hawthrone; siblings, Charles Smith of Cinti. OH, Norman Smith (Melvina) of Akron, OH, Marie Hudson of Amityville, NY and Florence D. Allen (Lincoln) of Forestville, MD; brother-in-law, James E. Bandy (Janice) of Murietta, CA; sister-in-law, Dortha R. Dennis of Philadelphia, PA; adopted daughters, Portia Parker, Min. Belinda Hopkins, and Paulette Hutchings and adopted son T. Kent Keyser.

“With long life I will satisfy him and show him my Salvation”
Psalm 91:16

Funeral service will be 12:00PM Friday, January 10, 2025 at Heart of God Ministries 1703 S. Kanawha St. Beckley with Pastor Gloria Allen and Bishop Fred Simms officiating.

Friends, while wearing masks and observing social distancing, may visit with the family one-hour prior.

Email condolences to ritchiejohnsonfuneralparlor@gmail.com.

Arrangements entrusted to Ritchie & Johnson Funeral Parlor, Beckley.