Martha Luker Hales

    05.06.1934 – 01.16.2025

The vibrant life of Martha Cornelia Baggett began on May 6, 1934, born the youngest of seven children to Gurley and Cornelia Baggett (who became Mama and Daddy Baggett to us all), in Douglasville, Georgia.  Her father was a railroad engineer and farmer.  Mother was a homemaker.  When Martha was seven years old, the family moved to Birmingham, where they became active members of West End Baptist Church. 

Having graduated from Jones Valley High School at 16 years old, Martha then went to work for Hinkle Supply Company, learning quickly her bookkeeping and office skills.  Three years later, Martha and Norse were married, in 1954.  After two years, they welcomed their first child, Stephen, then Roger, Rebecca, and Suzanne, four in five years.  The family was very involved in church, at West End Baptist, with children’s and youth ministries, and the choir.

Martha and Norse moved their family to Helena in 1965, where their first visitor was Brother Olen Nall.  The family soon joined First Baptist.  Norse became a deacon, and they both joined the choir, becoming very active in the music ministry, the building ministry, children’s ministries, and many others.  FBA became their second home and members became family, at the church several times a week.

Thompson High School is where Martha began work in 1968, when their youngest started first grade, as the principal’s secretary and later, the bookkeeper, and essentially became the gatekeeper.  She and Norse were very involved with their children’s activities, with football, band, choir, and cheerleading. 

Coach Larry Simmons and the class of 1977, Paul Draper being instrumental, nominated Martha for Alabama’s Mother of the Year.  In the nomination, Coach Simmons stated that Martha balanced well her school, church, and home life, and that he could think of no other person more worthy of this honor.  Principal Allen Fulton as well as their pastor, Olen Nall, expressed agreement.  Principal Fulton remarked that Mrs. Luker was not only the school secretary, but extended herself as a counselor, confidant, mother, and friend to all the students who sought her help.  Martha was chosen as Alabama’s Mother of the Year in 1977, and she and Norse traveled to New York City.

Norse died in 1984, one day after their 30th anniversary.  Martha continued working, staying active in church choir, her Sunday school group, and with grandchildren.  She also started playing tennis often with her friends.  In 1993, during the snowpocalypse, Martha married Lamar Hales, who has remained a wonderful husband and father to the whole family, for 31 years.   Martha retired from Thompson High School after 30 years of tireless dedication.  She and Lamar began traveling with friends, church groups, high school classmates, and family all over the country, to Hawaii, Alaska, the Pacific Northwest, New York, the Grand Canyon, our National Parks, the Outer Banks, and many other destinations over the years.

Martha loved being the chief planner for her Jones Valley High School, Class of 1951 class reunions for 65 years, staying in close touch with all of her classmates, earning her title, ‘the caretaker’.

The love of music was instilled in all of Martha’s children, as she sang joyously throughout every day, encouraging the whole family to join in; and she and Norse’s dedication to the church choir, her trio and his quartet were profound influences.  All of their children were in church and school choirs.  When her daughter, Rebecca, was 16, Mom signed her up for voice lessons at University of Montevallo, without asking Rebecca.  Because of her mother’s insight, guidance, and encouragement in developing her natural talent, Rebecca became a leading lady on Broadway for three decades, known worldwide for her angelic crystal clear soprano.  Martha was deeply proud of all of her children, appreciating each for their strengths and unique talents, always believing the best in them, encouraging them to be kind and generous by her unwavering example.

Martha first became Mimi in 1983 to her first grandchild, followed by 12 more and added two more along the way, also adding seven grands from Lamar’s three children.  Over the years, their family grew, with Martha’s 16 great grandchildren and Lamar’s eight.  Their home was where the family gathered for holidays, birthdays, weddings, funerals, church parties, and Friday game nights and Sunday lunch, always enjoying Martha’s delicious food and her open arms.

Martha was pre-deceased by her husband, Norse Doak Luker Jr; her son, Stephen Luker, her daughter, Rebecca Luker; father, John Gurley Baggett, her mother, Cornelia Maxwell Baggett, six siblings > John, Jack, Charles, Mildred, Elsie, Harold; niece, Susan Warr, daughter-in-law, Carol Luker; sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, aunts and uncles.

Martha is survived by her husband, Robert Lamar Hales, son, Roger Luker (wife, Tammy) and daughter, Suzanne Luker (fiance’, William James); 15 grandchildren > Taylor Stinson (wife, Kristi), Mallory Scruggs (husband, Brett), Leigh Ellen Stephens (husband, Joe); Ben Luker (wife, Alexandra), Kelsey Mincey (husband, Adam), Jack Luker; Nicholas Kirby (wife, Ashley), Tyler Luker (wife, Jackie), Brett Hannan, Jackie Snider (husband, Jason), Drew Hannan (wife, River), Jacob Luker (wife, Emily), Tyler James; Alexander Burstein, Zachary Burstein; daughter-in-law, Ruth Anne Luker and son-in-law, Danny Burstein; eight great grandsons and eight great granddaughters; step-daughters, Cindy Dailey (husband, John) and Debbie Wathen (husband, Mike), step-son, Robert (wife, Leslie); seven step-grandchildren and eight great grandchildren; many cherished nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews. 

Stephen’s  <>  Taylor (Cecelia, Sawyer); Mallory (Cohen, Ella);                                                     

  Leigh (Finley, Miller, Beau and Baker)

Roger’s  <>      Ben, Kelsey, Jack  

Rebecca’s  <>  Alexander, Zachary

Suzanne’s  <>  Nicholas (Emma, Jennifer); Tyler ( Ty Daniel, Lucy, Elijah);                                                       Jackie (Charlie, Margeaux); Brett; Drew (Owen); Jacob; TJ

Our Mom, Mimi, Martha was full of joy every day, always singing.  She lived out her faith in the common activities of life, her faith touching all that she did.  Martha was a loving wife, a godly mother, a cherished friend.  Her heart was close to her heavenly Father’s, and everyone around her was inspired and blessed by her gracious spirit.  Martha ran a Christian home, and everyone she welcomed was treated like family.  Her purpose in this life was to serve her Savior, and she did just that by serving all of us so well.  Her radiant smile brightened everyone’s heart.

This is the beginning of an eternal and beautiful journey for our mom, Mimi, Martha, who leaves a legacy of godliness to her children, her grandchildren, and generations to come.

There will be a gathering on Saturday, February 1, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. followed by a Celebration of Life at 2:00 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Alabaster.

Who can find a virtuous woman?  For her worth is far above rubies.                                                  

The heart of her husband trusts in her.  Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she smiles at the future.  She opens her mouth with wisdom; and on her tongue is the law of kindness.  She opens her mouth in wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.   She watches over the activities of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness.  Her children rise up and bless her; her husband also, and he praises her. Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates.       Proverbs 31:10-11, 25-28, 31

That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him.                                                                  

 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling,   what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints.                                                        Ephesians 1:17-18                                                                                                                                            

4 Comments

  1. Gigi Butcher Metzger on January 28, 2025 at 6:15 pm

    Such a beautiful lady and so inspiring to all who worked in the office at THS. I was honored to know and work with her while I was at THS in 73-76

  2. Kathy Gamble Akers on January 28, 2025 at 6:17 pm

    Mrs. Luke’s, as I knew her, was a wonderful person n this earth. Neighbors, friend, and school mentor! She made a great impact on my life. Will always love her.

  3. Kathy Gamble Akers on January 28, 2025 at 6:19 pm

    Mrs. Luker

  4. Ista Elliott on January 29, 2025 at 4:14 am

    I have lots of memories that include Mrs. Luker(that’s what we all called her for so many years). She was a long time friend, who over the years was my Sunday School Teacher, Training Union teacher, and Bible Drill instructor. She taught VBS every summer when I was a kid(even when it was 2and 3 weeks.) She taught me by example to love praising the Lord through song. She always, always, always had a smile. She was our registrar at school all through high school, and that same smiling, loving attitude was at school that was at church. When I returned home after being gone for ten years she went from being a role model to being a friend. We sang in choir together and ladies ensemble for years. She always had a smile even when things were hard. I saw her a couple of months ago at the nursing home, and am so thankful that I did. I am sure she is singing His praises with Rebecca, Stephen, and Norse. Rest in peace Martha Luker Hales. You are truly missed, and I am so grateful to have had your love and smile as you traveled your journey here on earth.

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