Martha Helen Martin, born Feb. 22, 1920, passed away at the remarkable age of 105. A lifelong Tennessean, Helen was born to her late parents, Marvin and Eva Jernigan, and lived a long, full, and deeply meaningful life surrounded by the family she cherished.

Visitation will be held at Manchester Funeral Home on Monday, Dec. 1, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., with the service beginning at 1 p.m., officiated by Brother Danny Anderson. Burial will follow at Manchester City Cemetery at a later date. In Lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Manchester Arts Commission and/or Forrest Mill Baptist Church building fund. Manchester Funeral Home is honored to serve the Martin family.

She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband Hooper Martin, her daughter, Shelvy Jean Martin; her son, Price Edward Martin; her brother, M.P. Jernigan; her nephew, Gary Jernigan; and her niece, Marva Jernigan.

Helen is survived by her three grandsons, Price Edward Martin (Erin), Charles Christopher Martin (Carol), and William Thomas Martin (Melissa); her niece, Helen Ruth Blackburn; four great-grandsons, Pryce, Justin, Travis, and Austin Martin; one great-granddaughter, Sara Martin; her daughter-in-law, Frankie Martin; step–great-grandsons Andrew Guinn, Allen Guinn (Laura Beth), and Adam Guinn; and step–great-great-grandson Carter Scott Guinn.

Helen worked for nearly 20 years at the Locker Plant in Manchester. She also traveled across the Southeast with her husband, Hooper Martin, as he worked on the interstate system during the 1950s and 1960s. After his passing, Helen opened Kiddie Kollege, a kindergarten and daycare she lovingly operated for over 20 years until her retirement.

A gifted and well-known artist in her community, Helen—alongside her daughter Shelvy—created beautiful stained-glass pieces and paintings that were admired by many. She loved participating in craft shows and had an undeniable passion for treasure-hunting at yard sales. Helen also enjoyed visiting casinos, and one of her greatest joys was celebrating her 100th birthday in Tunica, Mississippi with her family. She adored Elvis impersonation shows and even attended one of his live concerts at MTSU in the 1970s.

Above all else, Helen loved her family. Time spent with them was her greatest treasure, and the love she gave will continue to live on in each of them. She will be deeply missed and forever cherished.