Martha L. Lewis
November 5, 1936 - October 17, 2024

Martha Louise Lewis, formerly of Brownsburg, IN, went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus, on October 17, 2024, in Rockville, MD, bringing to an end a long and difficult journey with Alzheimer's disease.

Martha was born to Clarence and Helen (Beach) Hudson on November 5, 1936, on the farm her father worked as a tenant farmer near Linden, IN. She was a 1954 graduate of Linden High School. Following graduation, Martha joined her sister, Dorothy, in Indianapolis to work for Peerless Pump. She and another Peerless employee, Roger Lewis, were set up by mutual friends on a double date- essentially a blind date for Martha and Roger. That led to more dates and a blossoming romance that resulted in marriage on November 5, 1961. Together they raised two children: son Mark and daughter Robyn. The family moved to Brownsburg in January, 1968. They were initially members of Brownsburg Christian Church, and then later, Cornerstone Christian Church.

Faith and ministry were always core to the Lewis family. In the latter 1970s, Roger began volunteering in Prison Ministry, eventually accepting God's call to that work on a full-time basis. Even though she had married a draftsman, not a minister, Martha also embraced her husband's call and became a full partner in that ministry. Over the years of their service together, she made countless dolls for the women and girls in the Indiana Women's Prison and Indiana Girls' School. Untold hundreds of cookies were baked for annual Christmas parties at the Indiana Boys' School and Rockville Training Center. She graded, corrected and recorded scores of Bible Study quizzes. She often accompanied Roger on ministry opportunities in the institutions, and when the Rockville facility changed over from housing men to housing women, she became his weekly companion for the Thursday night Bible Studies he led there.

In addition to serving in ministry while raising her own children, she also provided daycare for other local families. Each child became like a member of the family, receiving loving nurture and care from "Aunt Martha."

At home and in her family, she was known for her excellent sewing, cooking and baking. Her sourdough bread, pumpkin bars, and applesauce cookies were often-requested favorites. She loved to laugh and was rarely at a loss for a witty comment.

Even after Roger's death in 2014, Martha remained in the family home on Hammons Drive in Brownsburg, with the help of neighbors, church friends, and family, especially grandson, Jordan. Eventually the effects of dementia made it necessary for her to have more assistance, which she received by moving to Maryland in 2016 to live with her son. Eventually her needs required the professional support of a care facility.

Martha was preceded in death by her parents; her sisters, Mary Yager and Dorothy Hudson; her husband, Roger Lewis; and daughter-in-law, Colette Lewis. Surviving to carry on her legacy are her son, Mark Lewis, of Gaithersburg, MD; daughter, Robyn (Kevin) Streeval, of Edinburgh, IN; Grandsons, Joshua (Andrea) Starkey of Zionsville, IN, and Jordan (Jessica) Starkey of Anderson, IN; great-grandsons, Henry Starkey and Forest Starkey; and several cousins, a niece, and nephews. Her quick wit and gentle, loving demeanor are treasured and missed by each one.

Family and friends will be received at a visitation time on Wednesday, October 23, 11:00 AM-1:00 PM at Matthews Mortuary in Brownsburg. A graveside service will follow at Brownsburg Cemetery, with Larry Bellville officiating.