MARTHA IRENE DERONCEY

Our mother, Martha Irene DeRoncey, age 85 of Hueytown, went home to be with the Lord on March 23, 2024. Our hearts are deeply saddened. Martha was loved by her family. She was a loving mother to her 3 children and her 4 grandchildren were her pride and joy. She was not just our mother, she was also our friend. She was the woman we called, “Momma, Mom, or Mother” and who her grandchildren affectionally referred to as, “Grandmommy”. She was the one who played nursemaid, cook, chauffeur, and homework helper for many years. She also taught us, The Hokey Pokey, My Little Teapot, How Much is That Doggie in the Window, You Can’t Get to Heaven on Roller Skates, Jesus Loves Me, the importance of please and thank you, and so much more. Oftentimes she played the role of babysitter to all 4 of her grandchildren when they were young. In Martha’s early years, she attended Vashti, an all-girl boarding school. She was a homemaker most of her adult life, although she worked briefly outside the home for Admark Advertising Agency. Martha considered herself shy around most people, but those who knew her best enjoyed her quick and sometimes unexpected wittiness, as well as taking note of her generous and giving nature. She was fiercely protective of her family. Martha was an animal lover, an avid reader and had a keen intelligence for history. She also had an uncanny ability to be able recall classic songs and movies. She loved Vera Lynn music and Doris Day music or movies. The last few years of her life, she enjoyed listening to Korean singer, K. Will, which helped her learn a few words of the Korean language. Without question, her favorite song was, “Look for the Silver Lining”. We wish you could’ve known the private side of our mother, the playful, silly, hilarious, fun-loving, adventurous side. We wish you could’ve heard how lovely her voice was when she sang an old familiar melody. The woman who always insisted her adult children let her know we made it home safely, the one who carried more strength and resilience than she ever realized. Martha accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior as a young girl at camp. Her favorite scripture passage was Romans 8:38-39. She and her late husband Jack were members of Hunter Street Baptist Church and they attended throughout their adult lives. Martha was an only child. Martha is preceded in death by her mother, Irene Hodgens, daughter-in-law, Julie DeRoncey, oldest grandson, David DeRoncey, husband and love of her life, Jack DeRoncey, and her only son, Michael DeRoncey. She is survived by her children, Kristi Julian, and Karen Gantenbein (Bruce), as well as her grandchildren, Megan Julian, Taylor Julian and Matthew Murphy; also many nieces and nephews and her beloved sister-in-law, Patricia Coots. There will be no visitation or viewing. A graveside service will be held at Elmwood Cemetery on April 3 at 11:00 AM and a celebration of life gathering for family and close friends will be held at Rock Mtn Lakes Baptist Church, in McCalla immediately following. Martha’s wishes were that any donations be made in her memory in lieu of flowers to the following charities: any Humane Society location, St Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital or The American Heart Association. We thank you momma for your faithful love and care through the years. We pray we loved and served you well. Until we meet again...