Martha Ellen Hensley, age 67, of Rutherfordton, NC, died Sunday, March 1, 2015, at Hospice House of Rutherford County. Martha was the daughter of the late Robert Lee Hensley and Ellen Hill Hensley. She was the owner of Hill's Hardware. A 1965 graduate of R-S Central, Martha attended UNC-Chapel Hill. In the 1970's she was one of the founding parents of Trinity School, helping to renovate the first facility it occupied and assisting with instruction for several years; generations of students and parents have benefitted from that original concept of the school as a center of excellence. In her role as a merchant on Main Street, she was a key leader in initiating the Rutherfordton Revitalization effort. As a dog lover, she both rescued and bred Dalmatians; many local families have had the joy of adopting one of those dogs and on occasion proudly marched them in the annual Christmas parade. She was a bright light to all who knew her, always smiling and helpful to her hardware customers. In recent years she demonstrated a remarkable cheerfulness about the treatment she was having to endure, believing always that she would overcome the disease. She will be missed. Survivors include: One Daughter: Shellie Heaton of Rutherfordton One Sister: Julia Alice Hensley of Rutherfordton One Brother: Jerry Robert Hensley of Spindale One Niece: Lauren Hensley One Nephew: Jeffery Hensley The family will receive friends Thursday, March 5, 2015 from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at McMahan's Funeral Home. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers memorials can be made to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation 60 East 56th Street, 8th Floor New York, NY 10022 McMahan's Funeral Home & Cremation Services in charge of arrangements. An online guest register/tribute wall is available at www.mcmahansfuneralhome.com