Mrs. Martha Lee Huggins

Martha Lee Irvin was born on November 24, 1929 in Birmingham, Alabama to Tom and Mary Lee Irvin. She passed away on Tuesday, September 10,2019. She attended and graduated from A.H. Parker High School in Birmingham. She met the love of her life, Harold C. Huggins while getting her hair done at his sister’s home. This meeting sparked the beginning of a relationship and marriage that lasted over 73 years. Martha and Harold were married on March 11, 1947, and to their union three children were born, John H., Naomi J. and David C. The family moved to Detroit, Michigan in 1958 after Harold was assigned as the Youth Pastor of St. Stephen A.M.E. Church. Martha was always there to support her husband no matter where his ministry led him. In 1964, when Harold was appointed Pastor to St. Matthews A.M.E. Church in Detroit, Martha began her journey as First Lady. She stood by him through his subsequent appointments to Bethel A.M.E. Church in Saginaw (1967-1980), and his return to St. Stephen A.M.E. Church as Senior Pastor (1980-1997). Martha was a lifetime member of the Connectional Women’s Missionary Society of the A.M.E. Church. She was one of the Founding Members of the Connectional Ministers Spouses, Widows, and Widowers Organization, plus PK. She served for eight years as Treasurer of the Fourth Episcopal District Women’s Missionary Society (WMS). She was a faithful member of St. Stephen A.M.E. Church Stewardess Board, and along her journey served in many positions at every assignment. From 1997-2004. Martha served as First Lady of the Soaring South Fourth District. She was also a collector of elephants, loved her “St. John Knits”, and beautiful church hats. She was quiet and graceful, with an infectious laugh-a true Lady-elegance at its finest! Martha leaves to cherish her memory, her husband, Presiding Elder Harold C. Huggins, Retired; her children, John H. (Gwendolyn), Naomi J. and David C., all of Detroit, MI; grandsons, John Jr. (Veronica), currently stationed in Japan, and Kenneth J., of Jersey City, New Jersey; great-grandchildren, Aria I. and Sebastian X., both of Japan; her brothers, Robert Tyer of Mobile, AL and John Henry Tyer of Dothan, AL. She also leaves to cherish her memory, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and special friends, including Margaret Brown, Mildred Burton, Geri Peterson and Odahlia Rance all of Saginaw, MI, Pat Nash, Magnolia Payne and Gwen Person both of Detroit, MI, Rev. Lila R. Martin of Lansing, MI, and her Sisters in Christ, The Women’s Missionary Society of the A.M.E. Church. Martha was preceded in death by her parents, Tom and Mary Lee Irvin; four brothers, William, Thomas, Freddy and Austin Tyer. Funeral service has already taken place.

Mrs. Martha Lee Huggins

November 24, 1929 - September 10, 2019