~Martha Doughty~
Martha Lou Seibles was born on July 7, 1933 to Lula and Eugene Seibles in Winnsboro South Carolina. Martha was the oldest of 11 children. Her early years were spent in South Carolina until her family later moved to Baltimore, Maryland. She was educated at Bates High School in Annapolis, Maryland. She was a member of the House of God the Gate of Heaven, under the leadership of Elder Joshua James. On March 23, 1952 Martha was joined in holy matrimony to the late Bishop Verlen Doughty. From this union a loving family was raised. Through their love of children, Verlen & Martha opened their hearts & their home to a countless number of foster children & people in need.
She supported her husband as God elevated him to pastorship. Where she became first lady of the Apostle True Foundation church of Jesus Christ. Affectionately known as “Mother Doughty”. She stayed busy in the church until her health began to decline. Martha was the head of the Usher board, President of the Senior choir, worked the church kitchen, pastor's aide, missionary, seamstress and helped wherever she was needed.
Martha loved family, children, sewing, cooking, listening to her children sit around the house singing and going to the gardens to pick greens and string beans. Martha was nurturing and many were encouraged by her. It was nothing unusual to see Martha, Sister Webb and Sis Ennels preparing to take the Youth of ATF on outings. As loving as she was she was also a disciplinary. Her favorite songs were “Tell God About It”, “ I'm Too Close To Heaven”, “You Can Make It”, and “If You Live Right Heaven Belongs To You.”
Preceding her in death were her siblings; James, John, Charles, Lucille, and Margaret. She leaves to cherish her memory, 15 children, Virleen, Christine (Andrew, deceased), Essie (Elijah, deceased) Delores (Michael), James, Belinda, Christopher, Sharon (Eddie), Aaron (Kathy), Michael, Theresa (Carlos), Timothy (Denise), Gary (Stephanie), Gene (Darcelle), Gwendolyn (Chris). Siblings; Calvin (Phyllis), Rafel (Susan), Derrick (Sherie), Gwendol, Lydia Seibles (the late Ulysses Seibles), Julia Seibles-Wiiliams (the late John Seibles) , Jean Dorsey (the late James Seibles). 52 grandchildren, 102 great grandchildren, 18 great great grandchildren. She also leaves to mourn her memory very special people Curtis Ash, Oran Williams, Octavia Barnes, Julie Senior, a host of nieces and nephews, cousins, and friends whose lives she touched in so many ways.
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