Martha Stender

Martha Alvarado Stender, 74, of Newnan passed away January 7, 2014 at Piedmont Fayette Hospital after a lengthy illness. She was born October 5, 1939 in Santa Barbara, Chiuahua, Mexico to the late Antonio & Maria de Jesus Alvarado. She married her husband, Richard in El Paso, Texas and last November celebrated 52 years of shared lives. In addition to her husband, she is survived by four sons, Richard Jr. of Dallas, GA, Adam & Michael of Newnan and David of Tampa, FL. She also leaves ten grandchildren, Jordan Stender, Mason Stender, Cheyenne Stender, Hannah Stender, Marilyn Stoupa, Addison & Aidan Stender all of Newnan, Richard A. "Tripp" Stender III & Mackenzie Stender of Charlotte, NC & Isabella Stender of Tampa. A brother, Hector Alvarado & sister Irma Vasquez of El Paso, TX. Martha had many amigos in the Coweta Mexican community, who will miss her counsel, service and friendship. Her very special amigos are Josefina & Hector Hernandez and their family whose friendship she treasured. A career Army wife, she spent 30 years moving 14 times to bases in the US and Europe. During an assignment at the US Military Academy at West Point she opened her home to 24 cadets as their sponsor, cook, and social organizer. Upon her husband's retirement from the Army, she resumed her career with Merrill Lynch in the Atlanta office, accruing 11 years in which she worked for the company in Germany and Washington DC. She found ultimate happiness in Newnan and often said it was the best place she ever lived, while sometimes lamenting how her little town had grown too fast. Martha showed tremendous courage as she battled serious illnesses for fifteen years, always bouncing back with a spirit and vitality that amazed her doctors. She credited her caregivers, Drs. Moraitis, Vilanni and Khan for making miracles possible. Condolences can be expressed online at www.mckoon.com The funeral is Saturday, January 11, 2014 at 11:00 o'clock in the chapel of McKoon Funeral Home, 38 Jackson St, Newnan. Deacon Steve Swope officiating. Burial will follow in Oak Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Saturday morning beginning at 9:00 a.m. McKoon Funeral Home & Crematory (770) 253-4580

Martha Stender

October 5, 1939 - January 7, 2014