Martha Neibel

Martha Perkins Mabe Neibel reunited with her heavenly family on Sunday, May 12, 2019.  She was surrounded by her loved ones at Hospice Home of Alamance.

She was the wife of the late John Robert Neibel, III and was preceded in death by her son, Howard Leon Mabe, Jr., her parents, Harry Winston and Ruby Totten Perkins, and brother-in-law, Jimmy Smith.

She leaves to cherish her memories, her daughter, Debbie Mann and husband Tom of Elon; her beloved granddaughter, Jennifer Mann Gray and husband, Michael of Mebane; her precious great grandchildren, Brayden Gray (Doodle Bug) and Kyra Gray; sisters, Karen Hall and husband, Jeff of Burlington and Judy Smith of Burlington; brothers, Charles Perkins and wife, Nancy of Whitsett and Harold Perkins and wife, Chris of Mebane, and all her family.

Martha graduated from Walter Williams High School, Burlington Business College and was a licensed beautician.  Her accounting career started at Burlington Industries, Plaid Mill Division.  She worked most of her career at Jewel Box/Carlyle and later years with Kayser Roth, but she always kept her beautician’s license.

Martha was a member of Altamahaw Baptist Church most of her life. She also attended Bible Baptist and later People’s Memorial Christian Church.

Martha was the eldest of her brothers and sisters and was happiest when all of her family was together, something that was instilled in her as a child by her parents.  She arranged the parties, reunions and holiday events, and she encouraged the younger generations to continue these traditions.

Martha was caring and had a heart to help others.  She was trained and served as a Crisis Line counselor and was always ready to listen to friends and family.  She volunteered at Allied Churches “soup kitchen” and the Kernodle Senior Center.  One of her greatest joys came from the friends she made with the Alamance County Line Dancers.  This group regularly visited nursing homes to dance for residents.

Later in life when she could no longer dance, she looked forward to her weekly Domino game with friends.   She was blessed with an Earth Angel and many special friends who kept in touch.

She loved nature from the mountains to the beach but she truly loved her home.  Martha had flowers everywhere and a small garden plot to grow tomatoes, which she would eat with every meal.   Martha and John enjoyed traveling in the US, taking many cruises and spending time at Myrtle Beach.

A service to celebrate her life will be held on Friday, May 17, 2019 at 2:00pm at Lowe Funeral Home Chapel by Rev. Chuck Perkins and Rev. Jeff Smith. The family will receive friends from 12:45-1:45pm prior to the service and at other times at the home of her daughter. There will be a private committal service at Pine Hill Cemetery following the service.

She is “Gone but not forgotten” by her family and friends.

Memorials may be made to Hospice and Palliative Care of Alamance-Caswell, 914 Chapel Hill Road, Burlington, NC  27215.