LILACE MARY MARTIN, age 97 years, of Pylesville, MD died at her home on Saturday evening, July 3, 2010. She was the wife of Charles Joseph Martin who died in 1972.

Mrs. Martin was born on October 19, 1912 in Crumpler, NC, a daughter of the late Jacob and Emma (McMillan) Vaught. She was raised in Ashe County, NC and moved with her family to Harford County in 1929. Shortly, thereafter she met Charles Martin and they were married on December 31, 1931. They had a dairy farm in Forest Hill where they started their family. In 1966, Lilace and her husband purchased a farm in Pylesville that they named Blue Valley Farms. She resided on the farm the rest of her life.

Never one to sit idle, she worked on the farm and looked after her family. She was active in the farm community and 4-H. Mrs. Martin was an avid antique collector and had a small antique shop for many years. She also enjoyed painting and making handmade rugs and quilts. Well known for her cooking and Sunday dinners for family and friends, she maintained a large garden. Even after she stopped helping on the farm, her kitchen was the center of yearly family activities of canning vegetables and making apple butter in the fall. Every Christmas Eve the entire family could be found at her house for dinner and an annual Santa visit for the children. She loved her family and was a wonderful mother, grandmother, great grandmother and sister and an inspiration to her entire family and many friends.

She is survived by her children:

Joseph Martin and wife Nancy

June Jones and Terry Mink

Thomas Martin and wife Nancy

Carolyn Wilson and husband Larry

Steven Martin and wife Carol

Samuel Martin

Son-in-law: Wilson Bailey

Daughter-in-law: Mari Martin

Brother: Jay Vaught

Also survived by 17 grandchildren and 23 great grandchildren

She was preceded in death by her daughter, Jean Bailey, her son, Robert Martin and her siblings, Clarence Vaught, Iredell Vaught, John Vaught and Archie Vaught

Friends are welcome to celebrate her life with her family on Sunday, July 11, 2010 from 12 p.m. until 5 p.m. at Blue Valley Farms, 4903 Rocks Road, Pylesville, MD 21132.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Amedisys Hospice, 8003 Corporate Dr., Suite G, Baltimore, MD 21236 or a charity of your choice.