Martha Haynes

Martha Haynes daughter of the late Charlie and Annie Kate Atkins and Hermon Cato (Stepfather), departed this life on Saturday February 14, 2026, at Capital Health Regional Medical Center at Helene Fuld in Trenton, NJ.  Martha was born in Sandersville, GA and received her early education in the Georgia Public School System. In 1957 she moved to Trenton, New Jersey where she continued her education at Trenton Central High School.  

In 1958 Martha was swept off her feet by Emory Dillon Haynes and the two were married.  During this union four beautiful and wonderful children were born: Alice, Wanda, Emory, Jr. and Ronnette.Martha was a member of Henderson Grove A.M.E. Church until she relocated to Trenton, NJ where she faithfully served at Calvary Pentecostal Church.

She was formerly employed by Blakley Laundry.  She managed various bars in the Trenton area; she also worked for Princeton Nursing Home and Skillman Nursing Home as an Aide.Martha had many passions which included fishing with her late sister Mae Will.  She enjoyed playing bid whist and cooking for family gatherings.  In the early 1980’s Martha ventured into the restaurant business where she opened Martha’s Soul Food Restaurant.  She was predeceased by her husband Emory Dillon Haynes and daughter Wanda Cookie Hughes; twelve sisters Pearline Davis, Katie P. Smith, Jessie Barnes, Mae W. Burch, (Twin) Mary Dickens, Dorothy Webster, Ella Thomas, Susie Gordon, Lelia Edward, Lula Jerkigan, Fannie Smith, Evelyn White and two brothers, Roy Atkins, and Bishop C. W. Atkins.

She leaves to cherish her fond and loving memories, one son Emory Lee Haynes, Jr.; two daughters Alice R. Haynes and Ronnette  Haynes all of Ewing Twp., NJ; her fourteen  grandchildren Roena “Roro” McCain, Jermaine “Boogie” McCain, Rasheen Yon, James Hughes, Tiffany Jones, Dominique Hughes, Felicia Hughes, Charles Hughes, Tamarya Haynes, Emory Delane, Tyriq Barr, Ronneka Haynes, Ramira Mayse and Tayah Haynes;   twenty one great grandchildren; one great great grandchild; one brother-in-law Ernest Dickens of Camden, NJ; one sister-in-law Dot Haynes of Sandersville, GA; one God Daughter Terry Towns-Hunter and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends.  Isaiah 25:8“He will swallow up death in victory, and the Lord God will wipe away tears from off all faces, and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth, for the Lord hath spoken it.”

Funeral service will be 12pm Tuesday, February 24, 2026 at Greater Mt. Zion AME Church, 34 Pennington Ave., Trenton, NJ 08618. Calling hours will be 10am until the time of service at the church. Interment will be at Greenwood Cemetery, Hamilton, NJ.

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