Martha P. Dews

Martha Pauline “Mom Mot” Johnson Dews, 104, of Chattanooga, answered the call of her Savior and King on Saturday, April 22, 2023, as she slept peacefully at her residence. She was born to Morlean and Eliza (Lee) Johnson on October 20, 1918, in Millerville, Alabama at the Lee Family House. Martha was the third of six children and attended Bunker Hill, a one room schoolhouse. She received Christ into her life as a young girl and joined Roseline Baptist Church in the Glades of Clay County and baptized in the nearby creek. Martha married the late George W. Dews and was the mother of two children. Upon moving to Chattanooga, they joined St. Mary Baptist Church where she sang in Choir #2, served on the Kitchen Committee, Nurse’s Guild, and Pastor’s Aid Society. After the death of her husband, she joined Grace Baptist Tabernacle Church under the leadership of Pastor Marshall Robinson and was active in the Ladies Ministry until her health prevented her from doing so. Martha experienced firsthand the barriers to voting, voter suppression and voter oppression. Practicing what she preached, she was an avid voter and supporter of the Civil Rights Movement. She said, “as long as the Lord allows, I will go to the polls” and she did. Martha participated in the November 2022 elections at the age of 104. She loved the teachings of Jesus, showed kindness toward others, and her faith and giving spirit were strengthening to all who knew her. “Mom Mot” was the matriarch of six living generations with a wonderful sense of humor, lover of flowers, gardening, traveling, sewing, dancing, cooking (especially baking), and eating “good” food. She had a strong work ethic that served her well. Martha was an example of determination, perseverance, and tenacity. Her most beloved work was taking care of her family. She always made it clear that “WE MATTERED.” During her 104 years of living, Martha saw so many events and changes in her lifetime. She was born during the Spanish Flu epidemic of 1918, survived during COVID-19, fireplace to electric/gas and heat, well water to purified/bottled water, voting rights, Civil Rights Act, horse and buggies to electric vehicles, the arrival of television, and cellphones to mention but a few. Martha’s favorite prayer was The Disciple’s Prayer. Her favorite scripture was Psalm 100. She was preceded in death by her husband, George W. Dews; son, James L. Dews; grandson, William Jerome Sears; great-granddaughter, Carman Verae Smith; parents, Morlean and Eliza (Lee) Johnson; siblings, Ezzie Lee, Aldean Taylor, M.E. Johnson, Neil Johnson, and Fred Johnson; and stepdaughters, Geralene Spruell and Dorothy Brooks. Survivors include her daughter, Vera Sears Moon of Chattanooga; grandsons, James (Shelbree) Sears of Jacksonville, FL, Jeff (Claudia) Sears of Chattanooga, and Kelvin (Linda) Dews of Roundrock, TX; granddaughters, Belinda (Dwight) Smith and Josephine (James) Odom, both of Chattanooga; 18 great-grandchildren; 29 great-great- grandchildren; 4 great-great-great-grandchildren; daughter-in-law, Roberta Dews; a host of nieces; nephews; cousins; other relatives and friends. Martha will lie-in-state on Thursday, May 4, 2023, at 10 a.m. at Grace Baptist Tabernacle Church. Funeral service will follow at 12 noon at the church with Pastor Jeff Carter as the eulogist. Burial in Greenwood Cemetery. Arrangements are by Taylor Funeral Home of Chattanooga, Inc.

Martha P. Dews

October 20, 1918 - April 22, 2023