Martha Jane Hunter Morel of Griffin's Lake died on March 17, 2023 at the age of 84 years at the Effingham Care Center. While she was under the care of Savannah Hospice, it was the many caring healthcare workers from the Care Center that she had worked with for many years that loved her and cared for her during her last days, until she got her wings and Crown of Glory.

Martha had a heart for the senior population and spent her professional work life trying to help the aging population know they were special and they were loved. From organizing senior bus trips to Washington, DC for the Effingham Senior Citizens organization, to dancing the bus stop and calling bingo in the Care Center, Martha earned her title as SWAD.

Her work career included the Screven County Hospital, Effingham County Hospital and Care Center, Effingham Health Dept., Effingham School System, Effingham County Senior Citizens, Morrison's cafeteria in Candler Hospital and the General Oglethorpe Hotel of Wilmington Island, Georgia. For Martha's life legacy, she will be remembered most as the Queen of Fun in the Care Center, where she served as the Social Services and Activity Director. She once told a Georgia state executive that she had a PhunD degree. Care Center staff smile when they remember the many good times she created for the nursing home residents and the staff.

She was quite versatile and so inquisitive; she and a neighbor friend became dumpster divers, headgear included. Martha was known for her many sayings, quips and quotes that brought lots of laughter. When asked what she had to say about her life, she said, "a good time was had by all!"

Martha was an outstanding Christian woman. She was a member of Mizpah Methodist Church near Kildare, Georgia where she and her husband Charles W. Morel, Sr. raised their children, Deborah, Pamela "LuLu", Charlene and Charles W. Morel, Jr. "Bucky". Martha loved traveling, singing, reading, cooking and sewing. The greatest love of her life was her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Martha was born and raised in Screven County at Hunter's Station. She is predeceased by her father Mack Henry Hunter, her mother Gladys Whitfield, her sister Lillian Youngblood, her daughter Pamela Jones "LuLu" and her son Charles W. Morel, J. "Bucky" and the father of her children, Charles W. Morel, Sr.

She is survived by daughters, Deborah Kicklighter and Charlene (Keith) Kilgore and daughter-in-law Amy Morel. Also, three sisters Miriam Morgan, Peggy Bazemore and Virginia Spears. Her very special grandchildren are Travis (Kendall) Kilgore, Emily (Chad) Marsh, Carrie Raymond, Ethan (Tran) Raymond, Charles W. Morel, III, Addison Helton, Ethan Helton. Her precious great-grandchildren are Blakely Marsh and Truitt Kilgore.  The family also remembers Martha's very dear friends, Tommy Graham, Lillie Bell Bedford and Norma Jean Morgan. Many nieces and nephews are also remembered.

Funeral services will be held at the Mizpah Church near Kildare, Georgia on Wednesday, March 22, 2023. Visitation will be 10 to 11 am with the service to follow at 11 am.

Memorials to honor Martha may be sent to Guyton Animal Hospital, 61 Central Blvd., Guyton, GA 31312 or Mizpah Church, 129 Mizpah Church Road, Clyo, GA 31303.

Thomas C. Strickland & Sons Funeral Home, Effingham Chapel (912) 754-6421.