Martha Merck Ailor died Friday, August 17, 2018, age 99 years and 1 day. Born in 1919 in La Grange, Georgia, to Mamie and Carlton Merck, she grew up in Birmingham, Alabama, one of seven children. In 1946, she married Army Lt. Col. Samuel John Ailor of Knoxville, Tennessee. Sam and Martha came to Hampton, Virginia, in 1947, where they raised their three children.

Martha is known for a life dedicated to family, church, and community. When interviewed by the Hampton History Museum, Martha was introduced as one of the women who "made history." As a former YWCA youth director, she was the second woman elected to the Hampton City Council. After leaving the council in 1980, she continued to actively support her city while also finding time to travel the world. She delivered frequent speeches at local and state events, including baccalaureate ceremonies and civic functions.

Martha was declared Peninsula Woman of the Year in 1966. In 1986, she was honored at the Peninsula Chapter of the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities Humanitarian Awards. She was also chosen to receive a humanitarian award from the National Conference of Christians and Jews, as well as the Hampton Wythe Exchange Club's Book of Golden Deeds. Other boards and societies Martha served include P.E.O. International (60 years); Woman's Club of Hampton (64 years); Christopher Newport University board of visitors; VEPCO Eastern Division board of directors; the State Health Council; and the Riverdale Garden Club (30 years). A member of Hampton Baptist Church for 71 years, she taught Sunday school for 50 years, served as chair for the 200th anniversary in 1991, and was later elected a "life deacon."

Martha was much loved by her children and their spouses: Ann Ailor Thornton and husband Bill Thornton, Jim Ailor and wife Lynne Ailor, and John Ailor, whose wife Wendy Anne Ball Ailor is in heaven; her eight grandchildren Carter Thornton, Brooke Bennett, Mary Taylor Thornton, Dara Powers Parker, Samuel "Pepper" Ailor, Christina Ailor, John "Jake" Ailor, and Laura Grace Ailor; and eight great-grandchildren. Her family was her greatest source of pride, and they are equally as proud of her. She was preceded in death by her siblings: Carolyn Merck Gillain, Fred Carlton Merck, Wendell Keller Merck, Daniel Edward Merck, Norma Lucia Merck and Carman Merck.

A memorial service will be conducted at 1:00 pm, Saturday, August 25, 2018, at Hampton Baptist Church, 40 Kings Way, Hampton. The family will receive friends Saturday at the church following the service.

Martha's request was that memorials take the form of contributions to the Hampton Baptist Church Building Fund.

Arrangements by R. Hayden Smith Funeral Home.