Martha Hoke Drye, 84, passed away on January 3, 2026, at Autumn Care of Statesville, N.C.

Martha was the daughter of Clyde and Mary Salome Shoemaker Hoke. She was born on August 2, 1941, in Statesville. In addition to her parents, Martha was preceded in death by her husband of 36 years, Lonnie Anderson Drye; two sisters, Rachel Ann Hoke and Fleta Hoke Laws; three brothers, John Nolan Hoke, Thomas Edward Hoke, and Clyde Rockwell “Bud” Hoke; sister-in-law, Virginia Campbell Drye; and brothers-in-law, Rayford Laws, Bill Ray Holland, Carroll Drye and Lawrence Drye; mother-in-law Ona Deal Drye; and father-in-law W. F. Drye.

Martha was married on October 28, 1961, to Lonnie Anderson Drye at Cool Spring United Methodist Church. Martha and Lonnie were lifelong members of Cool Spring United Methodist (currently Cool Spring Community Church), where they were very active members.

Martha was a homemaker for many years taking care of her three boys Jeff, Eric, and Doug. Once the boys were older and in school Martha worked in the cafeteria of Cool Spring Elementary where she could still keep an eye on them and come and go as they did. Martha always had a great love for children and for many years kept children in her home after leaving Cool Spring Elementary. She later worked in the cafeteria at Statesville Senior High and in the Prime-Time program at Pressly Elementary and Cool Spring Elementary, from where she eventually retired.

After retiring Martha loved to travel with her brothers and sisters throughout the United States and into Canada. She also enjoyed taking care of several of her grandchildren who she loved dearly.

In addition to her love of children, Martha loved Southern Gospel Music, which she enjoyed watching on TV, listening to on the radio, and going to as many concerts as possible. In order to provide for her family, Martha spent summers canning and freezing vegetables from her family’s rather large garden. Martha was a wonderful cook, always making sure her family was well fed. She was always very thrifty, finding ways to make the family’s limited funds go as far as possible. This often meant that she sacrificed her own needs for her family, but she never seemed to mind.

Martha and Lonnie enjoyed spending time with their family and friends and being active in their church. For many years they traveled to North Myrtle Beach with Lonnie’s Army buddy Grover Allen, his wife Caroline and their family. After Lonnie passed Martha continued to go to the beach with her sons and their families and later with her brothers and sisters. The beach was always one of her happy places.

Survivors include her three sons, Jeff (Karen), Eric (Pam) and Doug, all of Statesville; five grandchildren, Hannah (Marcus), Jimmy (Amanda), Courtney, Hunter, and Shawn; and one great grandchild, Makinlee. She is also survived by her brothers, Robert (Becky) Hoke, and Gary Hoke; sisters, Marlene H. Miller, Judy H. Holland, Libby (Connie) H. Branch; and sisters-in-law Betty Drye and Helen (Bill) Ellis, along with many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 10, at Cool Spring Community Church at 1 p.m. The family will greet friends following the service in the church fellowship hall. Martha will be laid to rest with her husband Lonnie in the Fifth Creek Presbyterian Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, those wishing to make memorials are asked to consider Cool Spring Community Church or Hospice of Iredell County.

The family wishes to extend thanks to the staff at Autumn Care of Statesville, especially Tass, Nevaeh, Autumn and Leslie, and the staff of Hospice and Palliative Care of Iredell County.

Arrangements for Mrs. Drye are in the care of Troutman Funeral Home.