Bethoria, affectionately known as "Buddy" was given this special name by her nephew
Grady. From that point on she became known as Buddy to everyone. Bom on March 4,
1920 in Tillery, NC, the oldest of seven, of the late James and Della Wilkins. When she
was just one year old, her family moved to Sheppardtown (South Weldon), NC.

Bethoria was a Summa Cum Laude graduate of the school of life, majoring in
common sense, survival, home making, stewardship over all that God gave her, and
most of all, love of people. She was the family historian, often telling stories of the hard
times her family faced living in the south. She told us of when she had to work picking
cotton; she hated it. Her sister, Irene picked faster than her and would put extra in
Buddy's sack to add more weight.

Buddy was not a woman to mince words. You knew where you stood with her and
she told it like it was. She was known for her funny sayings such as ,"You don't have to
eat the whole hog to know you're eating pork" and many others.

She married her first husband Mack Bradley when she was a teenager. She often
told stories of their time living in Gulf Port Mississippi and later Portsmouth, Virginia.
Buddy was a true friend and had close relationships with the Bradley family and
remained in contact with them until her passing.

Later, she married the late Alexander Martin on February 23, 1957. Although she
had no children, she enjoyed welcoming new babies to the family. Buddy was mother,
grandmother and aunt to many. On Mother's Day she always received phone calls,
cards and flowers. She would often remind us of how important it was to give flowers
while the person can see them.

She accepted Christ at an early age at St. Peters Baptist Church in Weldon, NC.

Upon moving to Baltimore she became a member of Wayland Baptist Church. She later
joined City Temple Baptist Church under the pastoring of Rev. WW Payne. Often
Buddy could be found sitting on her bed reading her bible. God's word was a comfort to
her. She believed in the power of prayer and was a faithful tither.
When Buddy became unable to attend church, she would often listen
to preaching and gospel music on the radio in her kitchen on
Sundays. Buddy loved gospel music and the blues. Over the last few
years she enjoyed listening to various television ministries and the
Blues channel. BB King was her favorite Blues Singer. She was
thrilled to see him in concert with her brother Levi.

Buddy moved to Baltimore during the 1950's. She worked at the
Southem Hotel and did what she called, "days work". In the summertime she was
known as the snowball lady. She sold snowballs and frozen cups from her home at
1938 West Mosher Street. Over the years, that home was a refuge for many. Anyone
looking to put down roots in Baltimore often lived with Buddy until they were stable
enough to move out on their own. She often gave up her bed so others would have a
place to sleep. Her home was the location for many family gatherings. Buddy loved a
home cooked meal. She was known for cooking her favorites: Butter Beans and Pastry,
Herring Fish with Fried Fat Back Meat, Combread with Tumip Greens and Dumplings.
Anyone traveling to or from NC would be asked to fulfill her restaurant and grocery
request, including Minced BBQ, Brunswick Stew and Pork Skins, from Ralph's
Restaurant and butter beans, Bass Farm sausage and country ham from the Piggly
Wigley. Buddy loved sweets. Her favorite's included "Silver Tips" (Hershey Kisses),
Pineapple Cake and limited edition Pineapple Ice Cream.

Buddy loved her home and the hustle and bustle and noise of the inner city. She
often sat on her back porch enjoying a snowball or a cold Pepsi, waving as people
walked by often greeting her with, "Hey, Miss Buddy". She enjoyed the company of any
who were kind enough to visit and always welcomed a visit from neighbors, who were
dear to her heart, Miss Naomi Millner, Mrs. Willie Mae Kennedy and in earlier years,

Mrs. Willie Mae and Mr. Bill Jones. She enjoyed talking on the phone with family and
friends and had the same phone number for over 60 years. She was the source for all
the latest family and neighborhood news. Buddy adored the beautiful flowers in her
garden. When she became unable to maintain the garden herself; her cousin Aretha
would plant and maintain the garden for her.

Buddy enjoyed her weekend excursions to various shopping centers, movie theaters
and restaurants with her cousin Linnie (Bugg). Later that tradition was passed on to
Linnie's daughter Kim. As Buddy's health began to be a challenge, her niece's,
nephews and cousin took their assignments. Grady- General Manager and Primary
Care, Keysha-Primary Care, Kim- Heart Doctor, General Organizer and Wardrobe,
Antwan- Foot Doctor, Raymia- Grocery Store and Walmart. Buddy appreciated all who
took her to appointments, prepared or sent meals, ran errands, cared for her or just
stopped by to sit and talk.

Buddy loved to travel and although she never drove she was an excellent "passenger
seat driver", known for monitoring the drivers speed and keeping them awake. When
planning to go out of town, Buddy always had her suitcase packed and ready to go at
least a week in advance. She visited Niagara Falls, New York, New Orleans, LA.,
Naggs Head, SC., Atlantic City, Sight and Sound Theatre in Pennsylvania, Disney World
and Canada. Buddy loved to take pictures. While traveling she took pictures of
everyone and almost everything.

Buddy appreciated retuming to her roots in North Carolina to visit with family and
friends in her hometown. She enjoyed summer trips to North Carolina and staying with
her oldest brother John Thomas and sister-in-law Lilly. Anytime Linnie (Bugg) and
Duke's van was on 95 south, Buddy was with them. In later years Buddy added Grady
and Francis as traveling companions.

In 1992, Buddy during the Scott-Dempsey Family Reunion received a govemors
citation recognizing her devotion to her family and friends. Buddy will be missed by
many. We will forever be grateful for the 98 years God blessed us with Bethoria
"Buddy" Martin.

Buddy was preceded in death by her husband Alexander Martin, four brothers, John
Thomas (Lilly), James Wilkins Sr., Grady (Skeetz)Wilkins Sr. and James McKinley, one
sister, Irene Ward (Horace), three nephews, James Wilkins Jr., Robert Wilkins and
Bruce Wilkins, one niece, Pat Wilkins, special cousins, Willie Mae Cheatham, Elmo
Scott, Percell (Peter Rabbit) Scott, Joseph (Did ley) Scott, Russell and Ruby Bullock and
Helen Trustee.

Left to cherish her memory are her brother, Levi Wilkins (Beverly), sister in law, Susie
Wilkins, loving and devoted nephew Grady Wilkins Jr. (Francis), nephews Levi Wilkins
Jr., Tony Wilkins and Dennis Terrell. Niece's Faye Wilkins, Barbara Pack, Cheryl
Wilkins-Carroll, Linda Wilkins and Michelle Author(Lonnie), adopted granddaughter
Shelly Williams, a dear and devoted cousin Kimberly Tumer. Great niece's, Keysha
Johnson, Tambria Eaton (Darien), Debrisha Wilkins, Tia Wilkins, Raymia Carroll
(Nathaniel), Genea Henson (James), Theresa Cooper (Leonard), Great nephews, Levi
Wilkins 3rd, Joshua Wilkins, Lamont Wilkins, Darryl Wilson (Theressa), Antwan Wilson
(Kim), Jermaine Wilkins, Alan Wilkins, and Keith Pack. Special cousin's Aretha Williams,
Linnie (Bug) Cheatham, Ma~orie (Ninny) Coleman, Bettie F. Scott Arrington, Michael
Scott, Melvin Scott and Wilbert (Duke) T umer and special friend Betty Wilkins.

Buddy left a host of great niece's, great nephews, cousins and friends, but we all know
she had a special bond with her great nephew Brandon (Jack) Jefferson and great-great
nephew Nathaniel (Bright Eye's) Carter.

Although Chloe, Nicklos, Jaziah, and Antwan Jr., didn't have time to develop a close
relationship with Buddy, we will be sure to tell them her story and keep her legacy alive. Viewing Joseph H. Brown Jr. Funeral Home Wednesday, May 16, 2018 04:00 PM - 08:00 PM Email Details 2140 N. Fulton Ave
Baltimore, Maryland 21217 Directions Funeral Service Joseph H. Brown Jr. Funeral Home Thursday, May 17, 2018 10:00 AM Email Details 2140 N. Fulton Ave
Baltimore, Maryland 21217 Funeral Service will begin @ 10:30AM Directions