Maldeen Martin

Maldeen Smith Martin, 97, of Newport, VA, went to be with the Lord on Thursday, March 27, 2025. Maldeen was born on March 9, 1928, in Hoges Store, VA, and was a daughter of the late Spracher Ridgeway Smith and Ella Sue Williams Smith. Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, William Jackson Martin, daughter, Carol Fuller, sister, Rita Donathan, 6 brothers, Booker, Everette, Carmon, Tommie, Jimmie and Spracher R. Smith, Jr.

Maldeen was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star for over 58 years. She served as Worthy Matron for several chapters, her last being Paris Chapter #24 and served as Grand Marshall of the Grand Chapter of Virginia in 2003-2004.

Her dedication to the cause and purpose of Eastern Star was displayed in her daily life. Always ready to lend a helping hand and contribute to anyone’s relief was evident in the life she lead.

She was a lifelong member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Newport, VA, where she would walk 2 miles to and from church with her grandmother as a child.

Maldeen will be sorely missed by not only her family, and all her brothers and sisters in the Eastern Star, but by all the people who depended on her to can all their deer meat and vegetables each year, a passion she really took pride in.

She is survived by her son, Donald “Donnie” Wayne Martin (Debbie) of Newport, daughter, Pamela Smith (C.J.) of Blacksburg, brother, Bobby Smith (Martha) of Rocky Mount, 3 sisters, Polly S. Kanode of Salem, Ella S. Collins of Pearisburg, Thelma Jean Bruce (Garland) of Pulaski, 5 grandchildren, Billy Martin, Amy Martin, Donnie Wayne Martin, II, Christina Austin, Eevan Lilly and 8 great grandchildren, Alexis, Chevelle, Sophie, Jackson, Brennan, Caleb, Hannah and Reece.

Funeral services will be conducted Monday, March 31, 2025, at 2pm at the Givens Funeral Chapel in Pearisburg with the Rev Morris Fleisher officiating. Burial will follow in the Newport Cemetery, Newport, VA. The family will receive friends Sunday evening March 30, 2025, at the Givens Funeral Home from 6 – 8 pm. Online condolences can be sent to the family at givensfuneralhome.com