Martha Joyce Fair was born on May 7, 1946, to Floyd and Ruby Jewell Timmerman. The eldest daughter of four children (Larry, Martha, Jerry, and Karyn), Martha was raised to know and serve the Lord. This was a cornerstone that would shape every season of her life.

In 1963 Martha graduated from high school and set out across the country to attend Lee College where she met her first husband, James William “Jim” Price II. Together they built a life primarily in Cleveland, TN, raised their two children, Elizabeth Ann and James William Price III (Beth and Jimmy), and built a business together.

In 1983, Jim sadly lost his battle with leukemia and went on to be with the Lord. In the years that followed, Martha continued raising her children, and running the business that she and Jim started, eventually relocating to Middle Tennessee. Martha was also instrumental in the effort to launch and establish the Celebrate Recovery Program at Middle Tennessee YMCAs, a Christ-Centered 12 step recovery program. Celebrate Recovery partnered with the YMCAs for many years as a result of her passion to see people find physical, spiritual, and emotional healing.

Her daughter Beth went on to marry George Connors in 1988, and her son Jimmy married Cheryl Todd in 1995. Between 1990 and 2005, Martha welcomed four grandchildren: Meghan, Chad, Grace, and Will (James William Price IV). The family all lives in Middle Tennessee where Martha had relocated shortly before her passing.

Between 1990 and 2005, Martha welcomed four grandchildren: Meghan, Chad, Grace, and Will (James William Price IV). The family all lives in Middle Tennessee where Martha had relocated shortly before her passing.

Later in life, Martha was given the gift of love and marriage again. For nearly 17 years, she shared her life with Tom Fair, father to Jeff (and his Kim), and grandfather to Jack, had faithfully cared for his first wife through her battle with Alzheimer’s, until her passing. Martha and Tom were married on July 21, 2009, and spent their years together traveling the world and making beautiful memories, always returning home to East Tennessee, where the view from their porch rivaled anything, they encountered abroad.

When their traveling years slowed, they welcomed a new member of the family- Sparky the Havanese. Named after Martha’s childhood dog, Sparky quickly became the light of her and Tom’s life. It became a running family joke that Sparky is the favorite child. Even in her final days, through tears, there was laughter as Beth teased that she and Martha might need to reconcile her favoritism of Sparky once they are reunited in heaven.

Martha’s time in Madisonville marked some of the most meaningful of her 79 years. It was there that she grew to deeply love the Word of God, experiencing His presence in a more intimate way. She honed her artistic talents through painting, and she enjoyed spending time with friends in the neighborhood and through her church and Bible study communities. Most precious though, was the proximity to their family. Martha cherished the time spent and meals shared with her siblings, Larry, Jerry, and Karen, and their spouses. Also building meaningful bonds with Tom’s siblings and spouses in the area.

Martha and Tom reveled in being surrounded by nature-tending their beautiful flower gardens, watching hummingbirds dart around the balcony, and joining forces with the birds in their ongoing battle against the ever-determined squirrels at the feeders. They truly embraced the simplicity and beauty of life in the mountains, and many of her paintings reflect her love of the place she called home.

In recent years, Martha often expressed gratitude for the gift of her health, which allowed her to be an active and devoted “Gigi” to her great-grandchildren: Jack, Shelby, Carson, Nathan (and another on the way!). There was hardly a visit that didn’t include shared gratitude for her ability to be fully present in both the big and the ordinary moments of their lives. They adored her and will carry the memory of her love with them always.

Above all, the legacy Martha most desired to leave was her love for the Lord and her deep trust in His goodness. Many can testify to the spiritual encouragement and faithful prayer she offered to those around her. In recent years, this passion led to her involvement with Moms in Prayer International. She not only loved to pray, often testifying of the power of prayer- but she longed to see other women confidently come before the Lord on behalf of their families and communities. She deeply loved the women she prayed alongside and spoke of them often.

As part of her final wishes, Martha requested that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Moms in Prayer International, to continue supporting the ministry that meant so much to her.

The swift nature of Martha’s cancer journey carried her off to heaven less than 5 months from her diagnoses-A reality that has taken our breath away in recent days. But oh, the inexpressible and glorious joy we have knowing that the same mercy and living hope, on which Martha built her life, is the inheritance of Salvation made available to all of us through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

The family will receive friends from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon, Saturday, April 25, 2026 at Englewood First Baptist Church. The funeral service will follow at 12:00 noon in the chapel with Pastor Russ Maples officiating. Family and friends will proceed to Sunset Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Cleveland, TN for the committal service. Myers Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. You may sign the guest registry on our website at www.myersfuneralhometn.com.