Martha U. Tidwell, age 85, and a current resident of Lauderdale, and a longtime dearly loved resident of Newton, passed away Sunday, October 22, 2023 at her daughter's residence in Lauderdale.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, October 25, 2023 from 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm at Newton County Funeral Home – South, 100 Old Highway 15 Loop, Newton, and also on Thursday from 9:00 am – 9:45 am at Newton United Methodist Church. Funeral services will begin on Thursday, October 26, 2023 at 10:00 am at Newton United Methodist Church. Burial will follow in Newton County Memorial Gardens.

Rev. Curtis Cain and Rev. Phillip Dearman will officiate.

As a mother, Martha was generous, loving and very kind. She was a current member of Newton United Methodist Church, caring for many non-biological children for 36 years, where she was known as "Miss Martha." She retired from the Newton Public School System, where she was employed in food service for 22 years. She was an avid reader. Martha Tidwell was the epitome of "southern grace."

She was preceded in death by her son, Damon J. Landers; father, J.C. Skinner; mother, Bobbie Edwards Skinner; brothers, Joel Skinner, Gerald Skinner and Robert Earl Skinner; sister, Bobbie Gibbs.

Survivors include daughter, Laura L. Landers Segrest (Rush) of Lauderdale; her son, Eden A. Skinner of Lauderdale; sisters, Betty Gail Skinner and Mary Collins, both of Newton; granddaughters, Taylor Blackwell (Stephen) of Tennessee and Heather Adams (Greg) of Alabama; great grandchildren, Preston Rupp, Bennett Blackwell, AnnaLee Adams and Rhett Adams.

Pallbearers will be Ronnie Adcock, Seth McCormick, Donny Collins, J.C. Collins, Colt Collins, and Jacob Lurk.

Honorary pallbearer will be Judge Robert Logan.

Newton County Funeral Home – South is in charge of arrangements.