Martha Wheeler Thompson, age 87  of Rutherfordton, NC, went home to be with Jesus Friday, November 8, 2024, at Spartanburg  Medical Center.  She was a native of Buena Vista, Virginia and daughter of the late Willie & Ethel Wheeler.  Martha was the widow of the late Arvol Thompson.

Martha passed away surrounded by loved ones who will continue to honor her legacy of keeping family close. She met the love of her life, Arvol, at the age of sixteen while roller skating. Together, they created a beautiful family whose closeness has been described as extraordinary.  Martha was a member of New Hope United Methodist Church, and she left behind a worn Bible that she used daily to study God's word. Martha loved spending time in the kitchen creating delicious southern comfort meals for her family and loved ones. She welcomed dozens of her children's friends to her home and made them feel like they were part of the family. She was great at math, an avid sports fan, and a gifted seamstress who created dozens of intricate outfits for her daughters' Barbie dolls. The simplest pleasures in life brought great joy to Martha. She loved watching Hallmark movies, spending time with family, and vacationing at the beach. She brought true meaning to Christmas being "the most wonderful time of the year."  She will be greatly missed, but her memory will live on through the lives that she touched.

Left to cherish Martha's memory are her six children: Deborah Gregg and her late husband Gene; Teresa Davis and her husband Michael; Pam Arrowood and her husband Kenneth; Patti Sherrill and her husband Ricky; Julie Scherer and her husband Rus; and James Arvol "Jamie" Thompson II and his wife Amber. She is also survived by eleven grandchildren: Heather Moro and her husband Chris; Holly Owens and her husband Judd;  Sarah Minslow and her husband Steve; Andrew Sherrill and his wife Melinda, Caitlin  Despot and her husband Chris,  Will Arrowood, Courtney and Nick Scherer, and Trey, Tori, and Tali Thompson.  Martha had six great-grandchildren: Coleman Sidbury, Connor Owens, Kinsley Owens, Amelia Moro, Carson Sherrill, and Parker Sherrill. One brother Joe Wheeler  and his wife Joyce.  Three sisters Rachel Flint, Jean Holt  and her husband Donnie, Freda Austin and her husband Ronnie.  Martha also leaves behind her loyal K-9 companion Precious, her miniature poodle.

The family will receive friends from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM, Monday, November 11, 2024, at McMahan's Funeral Home.  The memorial service will be at McMahan's Funeral Home Chapel at 3:00 PM, Monday, November 11, 2024, with Reverend Carroll Flack officiating. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation www.komen.org. McMahan's Funeral Home & Crematory in charge of arrangements.