Obituary of Martha Priester

Martha Cannon Priester Mrs. Priester passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, May 30th, 2009. She was born in Spartanburg, SC, the daughter of Hugh Russell Cannon and Louise Shell Cannon. Mrs. Priester was a cum laude graduate of Converse College and met her husband while he was stationed at Camp Croft, SC prior to his deployment to Europe during World War II. She later taught first grade in Indianapolis, Indiana while her husband attended chiropractic school. Mrs. Priester was an active member of Covenant Presbyterian Church where she was a circle leader for 10 years and was a member of the Mr. and Mrs. Fellowship Class for over 40 years. She was a former member of the Charlotte Opera Guild, the Minikins and a member of Myers Park Country Club where she enjoyed years of bridge with her friends. Mrs. Priester was a most special mother and grandmother who loved her God, her family and her church. Her strong faith was apparent to all who witnessed her brave and joyous approach to this last year. She was an exemplary ?southern lady?, loved by all who knew her. Mrs. Priester is survived by her husband of 65 years, Dr. Jacob J. Priester, her daughter, Martha P. (Marcy) Choate and husband William M., son, Dr. John J. Priester and wife, Patricia P. Priester; and by six grandchildren whom she adored, W. Merritt Choate, Jr. of Los Angeles, Ca., John J. C. Choate of Nashville, Tenn., Alison P. Rainero and husband Steven of Bristol, Va., John J. Priester, Jr., P. Hayden Priester, and Patrick L. Priester all of Charlotte and one great grandchild, Louis S. Rainero, III.. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, June 1, 2009 at Covenant Presbyterian Church with the Reverend Mark E. Diehl officiating. The family will greet friends at a reception following the service in the Fellowship Hall. The family?s heartfelt thanks go to Mrs. Priester?s extraordinary caregivers, Estelle Graham, Margie Lankford, Carolyn Davis, Rosa Hamlin and Ella Stitt. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Covenant Presbyterian Church 1000 East Morehead St., Charlotte, NC 28204 or to Hospice and Palliative Care Charlotte Region 1420 East Seventh St, Charlotte, NC 28204.