Martha M. (Pridgen) Smith

Martha M. Smith, 79, Johnstown, died June 8, 2017 at Windber Hospice,  Chan Soon-Shiong Medical Center.  She was born March 3, 1938 in Johnstown, the daughter of the late Frank and Ida C. (McDonald) Pridgen.  Preceded in death by first husband, Robert L. Hall; sister, Connie Bradley; brother, Ronald Pridgen; step-son, Victor Hall and nieces and nephews.  Survived by daughters, Donna Surratt, Atlanta, GA; Karen Williams and husband, Clyde, Jr., Johnstown; Linda Hall, Johnstown; Tanya Ward and husband, Thomas, Harrisburg and Venus Hall, Johnstown; step-sons, Robert B. Hall and Michael Hall, both of Maryland; 17 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren; former husband, Henry A. Smith, Buffalo, NY.  Also survived by sisters, Mary E. Singleton and Louisa P. Chase, both of Bronx, NY; Margaret McNair, Lawrenceville, GA; Shirley Ann Roebuck Atlanta, GA and Leah Brown, Cleveland, OH; brothers, Louis Frank Pridgen, and wife, Katherine and David Pridgen, and wife, Diane, all of Texas; Edward L. Pridgen, and wife, Francinea, Johnstown; Lira Pridgen and Booker T. Pridgen, both of California; godchildren, Curtis Morris, Jr. and Dorothy Rozier and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins; special cousins, Reginald Floyd; Betty Mae Lewis and Elaine Johnson; special friends, Shirley Triplin; Darlene Seals; Rita Williams; Cynthia James and Carol Burns.   Martha was a 1956 graduate of Greater Johnstown High School and served in the United States Army from 1956 – 1959.  She retired from the US Postal Service, having served as the Summerhill Postmaster for several years.  After her retirement, she was employed by Cambria Residential Services as a Residential Social Worker.  Martha was an active member of St. James Missionary Baptist Church, where she was a Trustee and Treasurer for over 30 years.  She was also a Deaconess, a member of the Mass Choir, the Mime and Puppet Ministries, the Kitchen Committee, Tribe of Ruben, the Pastor’s Concern Ministry and the Kept Women of God and she served as a missionary.  Martha was also a member of NAACP and NARFE.  Friends will be received from 4-7 PM, Tuesday, and from 10 AM until time of funeral service at 11 AM, Wednesday at St. James Missionary Baptist Church, 400 Pine Street. Rev. Dr. Ralph E. Johnson will officiate.  Interment Benshoff Hill Cemetery where military rites will be conducted courtesy of the Conemaugh Valley Detachment #287 Marine Corps League. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Windber Hospice, Chan Soon-Shiong Medical Center, 600 Somerset Avenue, Windber, PA  15963 in Martha’s memory.      

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