Martha Magalene Watkins Tola, 87 years young at heart, of Apex, NC went to be with her Lord and Savior on April 18, 2019, at Wake Med Cary Hospital surrounded by her loving family. She was born on July 9, 1931, to the late Bessie Lea Morris Watkins and Carey David Watkins, Sr in Raleigh, NC.  She grew up and raised her family on the Watkins Dairy land on Blue Ridge Road, Raleigh, NC, that is now the site of UNC Rex Hospital. Martha was the youngest of six children and graduated from Cary High School in 1949 where she was voted Belle of her graduating class. She had a remarkably beautiful singing voice and was the soloist for the school choir and at her neighborhood church, Mt. Olivet Baptist, Raleigh, NC, where she was a long-time member. 1949 was an eventful year for her! She married her sailor, Jacob John Tola, on January 1, 1949, upon his return from service and had her first child, Carol.

Martha devoted her entire working career to the North Carolina Employment Security Commission and retired after 31+ years of service. She devoted the rest of her life to her family daily attending to whomever and whatever was needed or just lending a loving ear and heart to us all. Her unbounded unconditional love for each member of her family was her greatest gift. She loved crocheting beautiful blankets for her family and friends, especially for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Those blankets are precious mementos of a life of love and dedication to family.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Jacob John Tola, Raleigh, NC, also by her parents, Bessie and Carey Watkins, Sr., sister Mary Lea Watkins Lee, Conway, NC, brothers Tracey Atlas Watkins, Raleigh, NC, Talcott Wrey Watkins, Edenton, NC, and Carey David Watkins, Jr., Coats, NC.

Martha is survived by her sister, Mildred Watkins Whittlesey of Cary, NC, and by her three daughters, Martha Carol Tola Mitchell, Apex, NC, Frankie Tola Mincey (Charles), Wilmington, NC, and Bonnie Tola Keith (Alan), Raleigh, NC. She has seven grandchildren who adored their "Mama T", Kelly Carol Mitchell Promer (Chad), Raleigh, NC, Kristen Elizabeth Mitchell, Apex, NC, and Martha Katherine Mitchell, Raleigh, NC, Charles Jacob "CJ" Mincey (Carrie), Wilmington, NC, Lauren Mincey Hilker (Sam), Wilmington, NC, Jennifer Keith, Cary, NC, and Sara Beth Keith Mayberry (Kyle), Asheville, NC. Martha was also blessed with five great-grandchildren, Madelyn Mitchell Promer, Lincoln Mitchell Promer, Carper Rose Mincey, Charles Fletcher Mincey, II, and Tola Nash Hilker. Martha also has numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and extended family that we would like to recognize.

The Reverend Anne Ahl of St. Francis United Methodist Church in Cary, NC will officiate the ceremony. The family would also like to recognize Dr. David J. Hailey and Hayes Barton Baptist Church. When she was not able to attend church in person, Martha enjoyed watching the services on TV and still sang beautifully along with the choir and the congregation all the wonderful hymns that she knew so well.

All are welcome to attend the services at Montlawn Funeral Home, 2911 South Wilmington Street, Raleigh, NC, 27603 on Tuesday, April 23, 2019. Visitation is at 11am, funeral service at 12 noon followed by graveside service at Montlawn Cemetery. Condolences ( www.montlawn.com ) and flowers may be sent to Montlawn Funeral Home, or you may wish to make a contribution to your favorite charity.