10/22/2025
Mrs. Martha Elizabeth Barnett Ashe, 83, of Clover, SC passed away peacefully Saturday, October 18, 2025 at home. Born August 12, 1942 in Filbert, SC, she was a daughter of the late Bub Pendergrass and Irene Barnett Lowery.
She attended school in Filbert, SC. After school, she worked for the Hollaway Family of Gastonia, NC as a housekeeper and nanny until the four children graduated high school. She also worked at American Thread, Homelite Textron, and retired from Clover School District.
Martha attended Fishing Creek Baptist Church in her early years. After marriage, she joined Green Pond United Methodist Church and held many positions in the church. She moved her membership to Flat Rock Baptist Church and later to Beyond the Walls Ministry. Beyond the Walls welcomed her with loving arms. She loved attending church every Sunday.
She loved her family, especially her grandchildren and they loved and respected her. Martha never missed the opportunity to correct her children and grandchildren, as well as other children, if you were in the wrong.
Ms. Martha, as everyone called her, loved to cook and bake. She was known for baking delicious cakes and sweet potato pies. She would tell you “I can bake anything but cookies, they just don’t turn out right.” The Clover Optimist Club hired her to cook meals for each of their regular meetings.
Martha was active in the Clover Community, serving on town committees and participating with the town’s senior group. She enjoyed walking and traveling. She never met a stranger that she did not miss the opportunity to speak or start a conversation.
Preceding her in death are her siblings: Johnnie Mae Jones, Minnie Lee Barnett, James Barnett, Alexander Barnett, Theodore Pendergrass, Timothy Pendergrass, Herbert Pendergrass, Teretha Armstrong, Emma L. Boulware, Annie B. Tate, and Hester Davidson; her stepfather, Wardell Lowery, Sr.; two sons-in-law, Kenneth D. McLarty and Walter L. Bratton; and a great-grandson, Jayden Williams.
Surviving to cherish fond memories are her children: Frances Bratton of Clover, SC, Sandra McLarty of Spartanburg, SC, Robert J. Ashe of Morrow, GA, Dennis Ashe (Cheryl) of Gastonia, NC and Angela Ashe of Clover, SC; her grandchildren: Malyqua Roberts (Matthew) of North Augusta, SC, Dr. Jennifer McLarty-Williams (David) of Spartanburg, SC, Kenna McLarty-Wilson (Xavier) of Spartanburg, SC, Devin Bratton of York, SC, Brandon McLarty of Spartanburg, SC, Matthew Bratton of Fort Mill, SC, David Ashe of Gastonia, NC, and Joshua Ashe of Charlotte, NC; 14 Great-Granchildren; three sisters, Joyce Arthur of Charlotte, NC, Martha Jane Meeks of Clover, SC and Mozelle Adams of Hickory Grove, SC; three brothers, William Barnett (Mattie) of Newport, SC, Wardell Lowery, Jr. (Joann) of Clover, SC and Major Lowery (Deborah) of Clover, SC; one brother-in-law, David Boulware of Bowling Green, SC; special friends, Mr. James Pearson of Charleston, SC and Mrs. Hazel Curry of Gastonia, NC; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Graveside funeral services will be held at 1:00 pm, Friday, October 24, 2025 at Lakeview Memory Gardens in York, SC.
The family is receiving friends at Mrs. Ashe's home in Clover, SC.
