Mrs. Martha Dillard Artis transitioned from her earthly home on Monday, January 24, 2022 at UNC-Rockingham Health Care in Eden, North Carolina. Graveside services will be held on Monday, January 31, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at the Hamlin Family Cemetery, Eden, NC.  Public viewing will be held on Sunday, January 30, 2022 at Faith Bible Baptist Church in Axton, VA from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m.

Martha Ann Dillard Artis, also affectionately known as "Puddin", was born to the late John Anderson Dillard and the late Mary Evelyn Scales Dillard on Monday, June 7, 1943.  She was the third of seven children born from their union.

Martha graduated from Douglass High School in 1961, and she furthered her education at St. Augustine's College in Raleigh, North Carolina.  Shortly afterwards, she became employed by Fieldcrest Cannon Mills, Inc. in the Blanket Finishing Division until she retired.  On November 24, 1966, she was joined in holy matrimony to Curtis Malon Artis, Sr., a union that spanned 55 years. All together they have three children.

In 1977, Martha accepted Christ as her personal Savior while attending Central Baptist Church under Pastor Ross Holmes.  A few years later, she and her husband became founding members of Crossroads Bible Baptist Church, which was later re-named Faith Bible Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor Roy Handy.  Martha loved the Lord, His Word, witnessing to others, and teaching her Sunday School class.  She dedicated her entire life to the work of the Lord.  Her salvation was important to her, and she never hesitated to share her faith.  She led many to Christ, including her own family members, her grandson, friends, neighbors, and even strangers.  She served faithfully until her health began to decline.

She thoroughly enjoyed reading the Bible and journaling.  After their children left the nest, she enjoyed traveling, discussing the Bible, spending time with the family, and walking in the neighborhood.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her three siblings:  John Dewood Dillard, Buddy Thomas Dillard, and Jeanette Dillard.

She leaves to cherish her precious memories:  her husband, Curtis Artis, Sr., of the home; one son:  Curtis Artis, Jr. (Letrice), of Charlotte, NC ; daughters: Korbin Artis Diggs (Reno), of Pittsburgh, PA and Penny Dillard Simmons (Zallo), of High Point, NC; five grandchildren: Ross, Gillian, Alexis, Paisley and Peighton; one brother:  Freddie Allen Dillard (Rosabelle), of Axton, Virginia; two sisters:  Lucy Lane Blackwell and Judy Faye Morehead (Curtis), all of Eden, NC; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends.

"Keep Jesus first in all that you do."  -  Martha D. Artis

Ashton and Yolanda McLaurin and the staff of the McLaurin Funeral Home are serving the family. C ovid-19 precautions will be followed with social distancing, masks and sanitizing required.

At the designated date and time, you may connect to the Virtual services via teleconference call by dialing (701) 802-5263 and then access code 6545855# or FaceBook livestreaming via McLaurin Funeral Home's FB page.  To join via YouTube click here