Martha Harper Fussell, 96, passed away peacefully on the morning of Monday, May 11, 2020 at Vista Park in Douglas, GA, after a long and courageous battle with Alzheimer's disease. The daughter of Henry Brooks and Bessie Johnson Harper, she was born on May 10, 1924, and grew up in Irwin County, Wray, GA. She and her twin, Mary, were honor graduates of Irwin County High School. She attended South GA College, taught fifth graders, and coached a high school boys' basketball team at the community school in Ambrose. After her children were in school, she apprenticed with her sister Mildred and worked as a hairdresser at her sister's shop for over twenty years. She and her husband, William Clifton Fussell, were married 51 years.
Mrs. Fussell was an avid Braves' fan. She also loved gardening, cooking, and swimming, but one of her greatest passions was singing and recording music with her twin sister, Mary. They often performed at social gatherings and class reunions and even sang on the radio in their earlier days. She was a beloved and devoted wife, sister, mother, grandmother, and friend who treated her pets like family. She attended the Kingdom Hall in Fitzgerald, GA, for many years and was a faithful servant. She will be laid to rest at the Fussell Cemetery in Wray during a private service. Ronald Jordan will share scriptures of comfort and hope for the family. Mrs. Fussell was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; seven siblings, Mildred Moore, Margaret Harper, Paxton Harper, Josephine Harper Meeks, Eleanor Harper, Mary Harper Mitchell, and Louis Johnson Harper; and one daughter, Barbara Brooke Fussell. She is survived by three children, Mary Gail (Wayman) Knight, Dublin; Clifton (Gloria) Fussell, Douglas; and Lorraine L.Fussell of Social Circle; four grandchildren, Andrew Knight and Lori Bates, Dublin: Zach (Jessica) Fussell and Tara (Chris) Bennett of Douglas; and five great granddaughters, Peyton and Gracen Bates, Marleigh Bennett, and Harper Claire and Charlotte Fussell.
She will be laid to rest beside her husband in the Fussell Cemetery during a private graveside service. If you wish to honor "Miss" Martha's memory, in lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation in her name to the Fitzgerald-Ben Hill County Humane Society, a food bank, or another favorite charity.