Martha Besant

Martha Ragland Besant TUSCALOOSA - Martha Ragland Besant, age 80, of Tuscaloosa, Ala., died Sunday, September 11, 2016, at Hospice of West Alabama. Services will be 2 p.m. Wednesday, September 14, 2016, at Magnolia Chapel Funeral Home South with Dr. Curtis Kelley officiating. Burial will follow in Tuscaloosa Memorial Park with Magnolia Chapel Funeral Home South directing. Visitation will be one hour prior to services at the funeral home. She was preceded in death by her husband, E. G. ""Buddy"" Besant; father, Sam Ragland; mother, Evalou Ragland; and brother, Barber Ragland. Survivors include her daughter, Nancy Besant Garner (Stan); sons, Rick Besant (Susan), Buddy Besant (Grace), Jeff Besant and Bob Bowling (Liz); sisters, Viola Logan and Minnie Jewel Sanford brother, Sammy Ragland; nine grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. Martha graduated from Bibb County High School and retired from Druid City Hospital as a Surgical Technician in the Operating Room. She was a member of Taylorville Baptist Church where she was a member of the Joy Sunday School Class. She was an avid golfer and bowler plus she loved to travel with friends. She was a great friend to many people and loved her family dearly. Pallbearers will be her grandsons. Honorary pallbearers are her caregivers, Wanda Garner and Carolyn House, employees of Hospice of West Alabama and her many dear friends. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be made to Hospice of West Alabama in Martha's honor.