Martha Ann Howard Garber was welcomed into heaven on February 3, 2021, completing her journey of 84 years here on earth. She is predeceased by her husband Robert Lee (Bob) Garber and her parents, Jadie Goodman and Thelma Brinkley Howard.

On December 12, 1936 she was born in Burgaw, N.C. She graduated from Burgaw High School in 1955. She attended James Walker Hospital School of Nursing graduating in 1958. She was crowned Miss James Walker that year by her classmates. She still met with her nurse classmates for a reunion each year. She worked many years in her nursing career, working in several doctors offices, at Jacksonville, N.C. Military Hospital, and retiring from Pender Memorial Hospital as a surgical nurse. She retired her nurse license in 2020.

She was a faithful member of Long Creek Baptist Church. She loved the Lord and served in many faithful capacities in the church.

Martha Ann was loved by her family and she was always there for them. She loved to cross stitch, sew, cook, do most any kind of craft project, decorate for every season of the year, and shop. There were many spend overs in her bedroom at the Dempsey and Sheryl's house and shopping adventures. She loved to take vacations to the mountains. She loved to ride as a passenger on the back of her and Bob's Honda motorcycle for trips to the mountains of North Carolina and Tennessee, Missouri and Florida with the other family members who rode also. She loved spending time with her family, precious friends, and co-workers.

Left to cherish her memories are her children, George Michael Carlisle (Nicole), Fairy Hales (Keith), and Bobby Garber (Ed); grandchildren, Amy Carlisle Anderson (Mark), Katherine Hales Forsblom (Mikael), Kevin Hales (Christina), Megan Garber, Robbie Garber, Adam Garber, and Justin Carlisle (Terissa); great grandchildren, Austin, Aiden, Annleigh, Emily, Julia, Teegan, Amelia, Grace, Chance, and Zackery; brother and sister in-law, Jadie Dempsey and Sheryl M. Howard.

The Lord said unto him. Well done thou good and faithful servant. Thou has been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things. Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.

Matthew 25:21

A graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, February 6, 2021 at Riverview Memorial Park in Watha with Pastors Brad Thurston, Roger Brittingham, and Rob Strickland officiating.
The family will receive friends at the cemetery following the graveside service. Other times will be at the home of Amy and Mark Anderson.
Shared memories and condolences may be sent to the family by selecting Tribute Wall.
A service of Quinn-McGowen Funeral Home Burgaw Chapel.