Martha Blanton Leigh, 93, passed away on Thursday, July 19, 2012 at White Oak Manor in Kings Mountain.   A native of York County in South Carolina she was the daughter of the late T. O. and Jesse Morrison Blanton.  She was also preceded in death by her husband, Walter Leigh; brothers, Eugene, Walter and Charlie Blanton; son-in-law, Frank Wood; and daughter-in-law, Pam Leigh.   Mrs. Leigh was employed by Esther Mill for many years.  She later retired from Cleveland Regional Medical Center where she worked in patient accounts.  She was a lifelong member of Eastside Baptist Church where she was the official greeter and affectionately known as “Granny”.  She loved cross stitch, sewing, reading, gardening and cooking.  She was a loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother and great great grandmother.

Mrs. Leigh is survived by four sons, Ronald Leigh and wife Helen of Charlotte, NC, Faron Leigh of Greensboro, NC, David Leigh and wife Sharon of Shelby, NC, Kevin Leigh and wife Edie of Reidville, SC; three daughters, Rebecca Weaver and husband Harold of Shelby, NC, Maxine Wood of Great Falls, SC, Anita Davis and husband Paul of Monticello, GA;  sisters, Ruby Sealy of York, SC, Dorothy Chavis of Charlotte, NC; grandchildren, Wally Leigh of Charlotte, NC, Angela Ranson of Charlotte, NC; Susan Andrews of Savannah, GA, Ronnie Dedmon of Boiling Springs, NC, Patrick Wood of Columbia, SC, Kelli Parish of Covington, GA, David Miller of Covington, GA, Caitlin Butler of Monticello, GA, Charlie Davis of Shady Dale, GA, Brandi Carlton of Greensboro, NC; Brooks Leigh of Queens, NY, Mary-Katherine Leigh of Shelby, NC, Blanton Leigh of Shelby, NC and Seanna Hernandez of Liberty, SC; 22 great-grandchildren; and 2 great great-grandchildren.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Perkins and the staff of Ally’s Cove and Neighborhood 3 at White Oak Manor in Kings Mountain.

A celebration of life service will be held at 2:00pm on Sunday, July 22, 2012 at Eastside Baptist Church.  The Rev. Leland Kerr and Dr. Harold Fite will be officiating.  The family will receive friends immediately following the service at the church.  Burial will follow in Cleveland Memorial Park.  At other times the family will be at the home of David and Sharon Leigh, 1031 Hunter Valley Road in Shelby.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Eastside Baptist Church, 1165 Wyke Road, Shelby, NC 28150 or the charity of the donor’s choice.

Cecil M. Burton Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the family of Mrs. Leigh.

Guest Registry is available at www.cecilmburtonfuneralhome.com