Martha Cate Thomas, age 85 of Malvern, died Friday, December 27, 2013 at her home. She was born in Saline County, Arkansas on August 26, 1928 to the late William David Cate and Julia Osborn Cate. Receiving her early education in the Glen Rose schools, she was a lifetime resident of the area. Martha was a homemaker and the widow of the late Marvin Thomas, to whom she was married on January 23, 1946. He preceded her in death in 2010. The two of them loved to dance, and once, during the Clinton gubernatorial administration, they danced on the steps of the State Capitol celebrating Malvern's Brickfest. She was a longtime member of Rockport United Methodist Church, and was very involved in community service. Martha was a past recipient of the Volunteer of the Year Award presented by the local Chamber of Commerce, led "Sock Drives" for residents of local nursing homes, and was active in keeping our city clean. A regular contributor to the "Letters to the Editor" of the Malvern Daily Record, she helped "get things done". Martha was an accomplished seamstress, and her daughter recalls the beautiful formal gowns her mother made for her as a young lady.

She is survived by her daughter Judy Butler and her husband Charles, of Malvern; by two grandchildren, Jill and Donnie Donihue of Hot Springs, and Kris and Carl Walker of Malvern; by three great-grandchildren, Ashley (Amr) Al-bacil, Jordan Donihue, and Chase Walker; and by a great-great-grandchild on the way.

One of eleven children, Martha was also preceded in death by four sisters, five brothers, and a half-brother.

Her funeral will be at two o'clock Sunday afternoon, December 29, 2013 in the chapel of J. A. Funk Funeral Home with Brothers Tony Burrow and Troy Cate officiating. Interment will follow in the Fairplay Cemetery.

A visitation will precede the service, beginning at one o'clock.

Pallbearers are: Terry Cate, Bruce Cate, Johnny Thomas, J. R. Thomas, Josh Carper, and Donnie Donihue.

A special thank you from the family goes to Martha's caregivers, Jo Burrow, Toni Parks, Shirley Jordan, Wilma Finley, and Diane Slater, and to Nancy Richardson with Hot Spring County Medical Center Home Health.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are requested to Rockport United Methodist Church, or the charity of one's choice.

Online condolences may be sent via jafunkfuneralhome.com.