Martha Claire (Brantley) Slocum passed peacefully from this earth on December 19, 2022, after a multi-year battle with congestive heart disease. A devoted and loving wife, sister, friend, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Martha’s steady presence was a bedrock to all of those around her. Martha was born December 13, 1934, to Edward Randolph Brantley and Bessie Mary (Bailey) Brantley in Coldwater, Mississippi. Five years later, she welcomed a baby sister, Dixie Anne (Brantley) Fore. After graduating from Coldwater High School at age 17, she married her high school sweetheart, David Andrew Slocum, on May 30, 1952, at Lowry Air Force Base in Denver, Colorado. Soon afterward, David was transferred to Biloxi, Mississippi, where he and Martha welcomed their first son, Jerome B. (Jerry) Slocum. After their service in the Air Force ended, Martha and David returned to Coldwater, where they welcomed their second son, David M. (Mark) Slocum. Soon after becoming re-established in Coldwater, Martha worked as a receptionist and bookkeeper for Powell Medical Clinic where she remained for almost ten years. Throughout their lifetime, Martha and David were dedicated to farming and agriculture in North Mississippi. In the late 1960s, they purchased the Coldwater Gin Company and later went on to establish North Mississippi Grain Company in 1975. Martha took an active role in the administrative and financial details of both companies. Her business acumen and sharp memory were a tremendous asset in helping make both businesses successful. In addition to supporting her family-run businesses, Martha was a long-time member of First Baptist Church of Coldwater where she joyfully participated in a number of committees and generously devoted her time to many acts of service. She served for 25 years in the church library and 12 years in the church’s nursing home ministry, and she especially enjoyed keeping her grandchildren in the nursery and being involved with the Prime Timers later in life. She was unwaveringly committed to her Christian faith, taking time each day to read her devotion and spend time in prayer. An avid sports fan, Martha regularly kept up with collegiate athletics, especially the SEC, and she was a long-term supporter of the Magnolia Heights Chiefs. Her constant presence could be seen in MHS’ stadiums and auditoriums where she cheered on her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She was also a lover of card games and conversation, and she delighted in regular bridge gatherings with her dearest friends over the span of seven decades. Those special enough to know Martha could immediately see that she thrived on creating connections. Never one to meet a stranger or forget a single detail, she made friends easily and deeply treasured her friendships. Nothing brought Martha as much joy as her family, and she diligently strove to give her family the life she felt they deserved. Her home was the constant gathering place for holiday celebrations, family get-togethers, Sunday lunches, and overnight sleepovers, and the melodious sounds of children’s laughter often emanated from her house and yard. She was unendingly proud of all of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, and their photos occupied every spare inch of shelf and refrigerator space in her home. Martha is survived by her sister, Dixie A. Fore (Ben Earl); son, Jerry Slocum; grandchildren, David Mark Slocum, Jr. (Brooke), Jeremy Redding Slocum (Tiffany), Andrea Slocum Del Balso (Brett); Gaines Brantley Slocum, Andrew Bailey Slocum (Rachel), and Stephen Davis Slocum; great-grandchildren, Adeline Marie Slocum, Seth Andrew Slocum, Riley Jane Slocum, Davis Redding Slocum, Pierce Henry Slocum, Jonathan Brantley Del Balso, and Caleb Neely Del Balso. She was preceded in death by her parents, Edward R. Brantley and Bessie Mary Brantley; spouse, David A. Slocum; and son, Mark Slocum. The family requests that memorial donations be sent to First Baptist Church of Coldwater or Magnolia Heights School. Services were held at 2:30 pm, Wednesday, December 21, 2022 at First Baptist Church Coldwater with a visitation prior. Burial followed in Magnolia Cemetery. Pate-Jones Funeral Home had charge of arrangements.
