Martheda Barnes Vaughn Humphries Lewis entered heaven on March 29, 2023.

Martheda was born on October 22, 1936, to Leamon and Nina Todd Barnes in Taylor’s Creek/Glenville, GA. She graduated from Commercial High school in Savannah in 1954. She worked at C & S Bank for 9 years and was responsible for the IBM proofread machine.  Martheda was introduced to Dr.  William Vaughn, Jr. (Bill), by her hair dresser, Bill Vaughn’s aunt, during an appointment. That meeting yielded 27 years of marriage and three sons, Willam Henry lll (Hank), Michael and Stephen. While raising their sons, Martheda helped her husband establish Savannah Chiropractic Center, which continues to thrive in Savannah today. After 8 years of widowhood due to the untimely death of Dr. Bill Vaughn, she started sipping coffee at Larry’s Restaurant with Doug Humphries. That coffee sipping led to 18 years of marriage. Martheda and Doug enjoyed entertaining family and friends, fishing, traveling, church and missionary work.  They volunteered for the Red Cross and their job was driving and taking care of the ERV (Emergency Response Vehicle). Their first major assignment was a few days after 9/11/2001, in New York City, working with the volunteers that cleared debris from the fallen twin towers. Together with Lendahand Ministries, they funded and helped establish churches in Honduras and Guatemala. After Doug Humphries passed away, Martheda settled into great grandmotherhood until Hurricane Irma damaged her home. She reached out to a long-time builder and old high school friend, Cleon Lewis, who was also recently widowed, to help fix her home. Over coffee and lunches at Larry’s Restaurant, they got married and enjoyed almost 5 years of marriage.  Cleon introduced Martheda to his love for Daufuskie Island where they spent a lot of time. They also enjoyed their large families, traveling, and their church family at Immanuel Baptist and Bible Baptist Church.  They continued with missionary work with LendaHand Ministries.  Martheda also took great delight in her Community Bible Study group.

Martheda is survived by her husband, Cleon Lewis, son, Dr. Michael Vaughn (Jackie), and children by marriage:  Chris Lawson (Sherry) of Friday Harbor, WA, Debbie Blackburn (Fred) and Craig Lewis of Savannah GA, Chad Lewis of Atlanta, GA, Carey Lewis of New Zealand and Chuck Lewis (Carla) of Macon, GA, along with 15 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren, niece, nephews, cousins, and friends. 

She is preceded in death by her parents, Leamon and Nina Barnes; husbands, Dr. William (Bill) Vaughn and Douglas Humphries; sons, Stephen Grant Vaughn and William (Hank) Vaughn; sisters, Corine Jaudon, Faye Heron (Rodney) and Lavine Cobia (Edward) and a brother, Robert (Bob) Barnes (Evie).

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests making donations to https://www.lendahandmissionteams.org/about-us/ ministries/Rev. Bobby Hoyle. 

Fox & Weeks, Hodgson Chapel.  Visitation will be held on Sunday, April 2, 2023 from 3 to 5pm.   Service will be Monday, April 3, 2023, 11 am, interment following at Forest Lawn Cemetery. 

We express great gratitude to the Humphries and Lewis families and many others who encouraged and loved Martheda during her final days.