Martha Ivens (Sandy) of Clinton passed away on April 25, 2011 after a brief illness. Martha was born to Thurrell and Katherine Sanders in April of 1922 and was raised along with four brothers, Mack, Al, Teter and Choddy. She graduated from Knoxville High School and attended the University of Tennessee where she worked in the registars office to pay her way through school. When the Manhattan Project began hiring locals during the early days of WWII, she took advantage of this unique opportunity and rode the bus daily from Knoxville to Oak Ridge to work in the housing office. In 1945 she married E. F. (Red) Ivens of Madisonville and when he completed military service, they made their home in Kingsport and later in Clinton, where he was the County Agent. Martha found employment with K.C.D.C. in Knoxville and worked there for the next 45 years, ending her career in 1990 as executive assistant to the director.

She was a long time member of the First Baptist Church in Clinton and attended regularly until the last few months of her life. Never liking to have idle hands or mind, she enjoyed gathering and planting wildflowers in garden spots around her home, knitting afghans, working crossword puzzles, reading, and putting up fresh garden produce. Always full of vim and vigor, she was a favorite with the neighborhood and her friends' children, all of whom she made her own.

She is survived by her nephews, Mac Sanders (Beth), Chuck Sanders, and Mike Northern (Kay) all of Knoxville, niece, Bobbie Hammer (Gary) of Virginia, and by her brother Al's children in California: Dawn, Thurrell, Katherine and Curtis. Also her loving family members, Jim and Sue Ivens, Ike and Rita Freels and Loyce Hayes. She is also survived by great-nieces, Rachel and Candace Sanders, and special friends, Mark and Donna Medley.

Friends may call at their convenience on Thursday, April 28th from 8-5PM and Friday, April 29th from 8-1 at Holley-Gamble Funeral Home. Graveside service to celebrate the life of Martha Ivens will be held on Friday, April 29th at 2:00PM at Grandview Memorial Gardens in Clinton. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to First Baptist Church of Clinton, 225 N. Main Street, Clinton, Tennessee 37716. Holley-Gamble Funeral Home in Clinton is in charge of the arrangements. www.holleygamblefh.com