Mrs. Loretta Martin Stillson

Loretta Ayers Martin Stillson, of Grant, Alabama, passed away at the age of 85 on Thursday, September 5, 2024. Loretta was born June 20, 1939, on Gunter Mountain to William Henry Ayers and Elsie Jane Kirkland Ayers. She had a happy childhood and developed a love for animals early in life. Her favorite childhood pets were a fox, crow, and a much beloved dog, Corkey. Loretta graduated from the KDS DAR School in 1957 and cherished the school and her lifelong friendships with classmates. She married her high school sweetheart, Larry Martin. After graduating from high school, Loretta joined Larry in San Diego and embraced her role as a Navy wife. She also attended business school and held several bookkeeping positions. However, Loretta was primarily a homemaker when their two children, Tonia and Larry Thomas, were young. Larry and Loretta enjoyed military life and were stationed in Key West, Florida; Charleston, South Carolina; Mobile, Alabama; Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland; and Yokosuka, Japan. After retiring from the Navy, they returned to Gunter Mountain to be close to family and were active in the community. They joined John and Mary Ellen Morrow along with other couples in establishing the New Life Methodist Church in Grant. In addition, they enjoyed activities at the Cahaba Shrine in Huntsville and the Marshall County Masonic Lodge No. 209. Loretta also served as the Grant Town Clerk and later assisted Larry in the Grant Realty and Tax Office. They began operating Grant Mini Storage, which Loretta expanded and continued to operate after Larry passed away in 1993. Following the death of her first husband, Loretta married Leonard “Pete” Stillson. They enjoyed attending church and participating in Masonic and Shriner events. When the grandchildren arrived, Loretta purchased a van with TVs and a “MeeMaw1” personalized car tag. Loretta and Pete enjoyed transporting the grandchildren to extracurricular activities and being their biggest cheerleaders at every event. Loretta was a member of the New Life Methodist Church in Grant. She was also a member of Gunter Mountain Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) and an Eastern Star with Masonic Marshall Lodge No. 209. Loretta was an excellent cook and seamstress. She attributed her homemaker skills to the time spent in KDS DAR home economics classes and the housekeeping cottage. Loretta was artistic and could master any handicraft that she pursued. While living in Japan, she took art lessons and discovered the joy of painting. However, Loretta’s most memorable talent was being the best wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother to her family members. Loretta felt it was her duty to spoil her grandchildren and great grandchild. To her family, she was the “wind beneath their wings”. Loretta’s warmth and unconditional love was felt by all that knew her. She is survived by her daughter, Antonia Martin Lalor (Michael); granddaughters, Dr. Fallon Lalor McNeely (Mitch) and Mikaela Lalor; great granddaughter, Blakely; stepdaughters, Lynnea Moore-Brown (Dwight) and Teresa Choutka; and step grandsons, Sean Stillson, Jordan and Seth Moore-Brown. Loretta also leaves behind her cherished friends, Mary Ellen Campbell Morrow, Helen Tucker, and Billie Fussell. Mrs. Martin Stillson was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Inez Ayers Mayhall (Clifton); husbands, Larry Ray Martin and Leonard Stillson; son, Larry Thomas Martin; stepson, Lee Stillson; and step son-in-law, Fritz Choutka. A gravesite memorial service will be held on Wednesday, September 11, 11:00 AM, at Panquin Cemetery on Gunter Mountain. The Grant Memorial Chapel will be handling the arrangements. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for those wishing to express sympathy to consider a donation in Loretta’s memory to the KDS DAR School Children’s Fund (6077 Main Street, Grant, 35747) or the Lend-a-Paw Dog Rescue (1019 Campbell Road, Grant, 35747).

Mrs. Loretta Martin Stillson

June 20, 1939 - September 5, 2024