Mrs. Lena May Griffith Martin, age 78 of Woolwine, peacefully walked into the arms of her Savior Jesus Christ on Tuesday, September 14, 2021, at Woltz Hospice Home in Dobson, NC, following a brave 9 month battle with endometrial cancer. She was the best wife, mom, nana, sister, and friend anyone could ever ask to have. She was born in Patrick County on January 15, 1943, to the late Earl Andress Griffith and Merlie Jewel Morrison Griffith. Lena grew up in Woolwine and graduated from Woolwine High School in 1960. That summer she began dating the love of her life, Linwood, and in the fall they both began attending Ferrum College. They graduated in 1962 and were married on June 30th of that year. Following a yearlong stay in Lynchburg where Linwood continued his education, the couple moved back to Woolwine and made their home there for the remainder of Lena’s life. In 1964, they welcomed their son Adam and enjoyed 8 years of being a family of three. Then, in 1972, their daughter Amanda was born and they became a family of four—the original four. Lena spent her life loving God, her husband, her children, and her grandchildren and creating a home where everyone felt like they were family.
After working in an office and later being a teacher’s assistant, Lena was encouraged to return to college to finished her degree. In 1982 she graduated from Radford University with a Bachelor’s degree in elementary education. That fall she began her beautiful career at Woolwine Elementary where she was a teacher for almost 30 years. There is no way to know the countless lives that were touched by Lena, both that of her students and the adults she worked alongside. Always a lifelong learner, she attained her Master’s degree in 1990 all while raising her family and teaching full time. Family was number one to Lena! Over the years, that family grew by one son-in-law, four grandchildren, and other special additions and the love only multiplied.
Throughout her entire life, Lena was a faithful member of Woolwine United Methodist Church. She also a member of Phi Beta Kappa, Patrick County Retired Teachers Association, Beta Rho, and various book clubs.
Lena will be remembered for her sense of humor, her sense of fashion, and her sense of loyalty to everyone in her life.
In true Lena style, she even orchestrated the perfect departure from this world. On Tuesday evening, as the sun was setting, Lena waited until the only the original four were together in her room to draw her last breath on this earth and breath her next breath in the presence of her Lord and Savior. We know she was welcomed into heaven with these words “well done my goodness and faithful servant”.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by one sister, Lillian Frances Griffith; and two brothers, William “Bill” Griffith, Sr. and infant Richard Eugene Griffith.
Surviving is her loving husband of 59 years, Linwood Martin of the home; one daughter Amanda Hunt (Tim) of Martinsville; one son, Adam Martin (Sherry) of Woolwine; 4 grandchildren, Alex Martin (Tammara), Sydney Wemmert (Pete), Marlena “Marlee” Turner (Bryar), Mattie Hunt; one great grandchild on the way, Kennedy Merlena; one sister Linda Dunlap (Doug) of Woolwine; one brother Bruce Griffith (Cindy) of Stuart; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held Wednesday, September 22, 2021, at 6 p.m. at Woolwine United Methodist Church with Pastors Tim Hunt and David Gaylor, Jr. officiating. A memorial visitation will be held Tuesday night from 5 to 7 at the church. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be made to Woolwine United Methodist Church, Woolwine Volunteer Fire Department, Smith River Rescue Squad or Mountain Home Masonic Lodge in Stuart, VA. Online condolences may be sent to www.moodyfuneralservices.com