Mrs. Martha (Zessin) Morby

Martha Morby, 100, of rural St. Augustine, passed away at 10:05 a.m. Tuesday, May 7, 2019 at the Knox County Nursing Home in Knoxville. 

She was born April 7, 1919 in Pekin, the daughter of Ernest and Ella (Schubert) Zessin.  She married Horace Morby on May 14, 1942 in Peoria County, Illinois.  He preceded her in death on February 25, 1997.  She was also preceded in death by one daughter, Shirley Strange, one son-in-law, Alan Link, one grandson, Jeremy Link, three brothers, Raymond, Bernard and Harold Zessin, and one sister, Lucille Griffin.

Martha is survived by one son, Kenneth (and Carole) Morby of Aledo; one daughter, Ruth Ann Link of Knoxville; one son-in-law, Paul Strange of Bloomington; five grandchildren, Rob (and Joy) Link, Jeff (and Stella) Strange, Debbie (and Dan) Bunch, Kyle (and Tom) Lloyd and Keith (and Sara) Morby; and 11 great-grandchildren.

She was a homemaker and farm wife.  She also made the shells for ammunition at Scott Air Force Base while her husband was serving in the military.  She was a member of the Abingdon United Methodist Church for over 60 years and was a member of Faith Circle, a member of the Knox County Farm Bureau and the Indian Point Card Club.  She and Horace were active in the Abingdon Community Fall Festival serving on the Flower and Vegetable Committee. They were active in the starting of the Abingdon Food Pantry with Pat Davis.  She was also a former 4-H leader.

Funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 11, 2019 at the Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral Directors and Cremation Services Abingdon Chapel. Rev. Nancy Wilson will officiate.  Burial will be in the Abingdon Cemetery.  Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday at the chapel.

Memorials may be made to Faith Circle AUMC, the Abingdon Community Festival Association or a charity of the donor’s choice. Online condolences may be made at www.h-p-w.com.

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