Martha Lee Graham, 76, of Baltimore, Maryland, passed away on Monday, February 19th after many years of enduring chronic illness.  She was an adored and faithful wife, a compassionate and amazing mother, and a devoted and steadfast servant of Jehovah.

Those that knew Martha well will always remember her contagious laugh, warm heart, as well as her no-nonsense style of communication.  It was those qualities that endeared her to many.

Martha was born in Baltimore, Maryland at Johns Hopkins Hospital on December 19, 1947 to Miss Ella Player.  She was educated in Baltimore City Public Schools.  She spent most of her working career at Johns Hopkins hospital as an administrative assistant in cardiology, or the "Heart Station" as it was then called. She retired from Johns Hopkins after over 31 years, but she fully retired from full-time employment six years later while working with University of Maryland Medical Center.

One of the most life-changing moments of Martha's life was meeting the man who would become her devoted husband of 57 years, Frank Graham. Frank remembers meeting the sassy young lady in 1963 in Baltimore, Maryland. Their affection turned into true love and they were married on December 25, 1966.  They went on to have two daughters, Gail Melissa and Lalita Danyell (son-in-law Titus Nelms). They successfully weathered life's ups and downs and saw each other through the pains of loss and illness, while never wavering in their love for one another.

In addition to finding long-lasting love, Martha's greatest treasure was finding purpose when she learned the truth about what the Bible teaches and was introduced to the God of the Bible, Jehovah.  The seed of truth was first planted in her heart by her dear Aunt Diane, but as an adult, it was watered and began to flourish when she studied the Bible with Gloria Armstrong (Aunt Gloria). Gloria not only became her Bible teacher but a long-time friend and confidant.  Martha symbolized her dedication to Jehovah by water baptism in 1974. In 2004 she began devoting more than seventy hours a month to teaching others about the Bible as a full-time pioneer.  She continued to serve in that capacity, despite weakening health, until her death.

Martha was preceded in death by her mother, Miss Ella Player and father at heart Mr. David Simon, her sisters Ida Mae Brown and Theresa Patricia Keys and her brothers Wallace Simon and David Emmanuel Wells. She is survived by her husband and daughters as well as grandchildren, Charmaine Graham and Terrance Reaves Sr. and great grandson, Terrance Reaves Jr.  Martha also leaves to mourn her loving sisters, Margaret Jones (Lewis), Deborah Ann Simon, and Denise Player Davis.  She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, family and friends.  Among her cherished friends are Lisa Jiggetts, and spiritual daughters, Delores Moesby and Veronique Alves, and adopted spiritual daughters, Kimberly Booker and Sonia Eaddy.

Martha was never defined by her circumstances or health but was defined by love, devotion, and determination.  Her greatest hope and joy came from Jehovah and it was her heartfelt desire to live and laugh with each of you for all eternity.  We beg you to please be there to make her dream come true.

A Memorial Service will be held at The Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, 505 Earls Road Middle River, MD 21220 on Friday, March 1, 2024 at 7:00 PM.

For those that are unable to attend in person, the Zoom credentials are:

Zoom ID: 206-296-3656
Passcode: 144000