Funeral service for Mrs. Martha Lynn Cato Lofton will be 11 a.m., Friday, November 5, 2021, at Fair River Baptist Church with interment in the church cemetery. Visitation is 4-9 p.m., Thursday, November 4, at Riverwood, and will resume Friday morning until 10 a.m.

Mrs. Martha, 77, of Brookhaven, went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus, November 2, 2021. She began this walk September 26, 1944, born in Brookhaven, MS, to Horace Cato Jr. and Louise Stewart Cato. She was a 1962 graduate of Brookhaven High School and a member of Fair River Baptist Church.

Martha Cato Lofton, our rock, our go-to, and our center. Her love for the Lord
radiated through her every word and action. Her life was love, and to love was her gift. Always a friend and encourager to all. Martha married the love of her life, Fleet, in 1962. They worked side by side in everything they did. They were lifelong members of Fair River Baptist Church, where they both served wherever needed. She was a member of the choir and taught Sunday School for over 30 years and served on numerous pastor search committees. Giving candy to the children on Sunday mornings was a joy to “MiMi”, but her biggest joy was her card ministry. Through these cards Martha was able to express her sincere words of encouragement, of healing and comfort, and God’s love. Nothing pleased her more than watching her children and grandchildren play ball at Brookhaven Academy where she was a founding member of the Grand Cougar Club. Martha always enjoyed Christian music, and to sum up her love for the Lord, her new favorite song says it all: “Let Me Tell You About My Jesus.”

She is preceded in death by her husband of 51 years, Fleet Lofton; her parents; grandson, Russ Michael Mangold; brother, Michael Ralph Cato; in-laws, Clint and Virgie Ruth Lofton; brothers-in-law, Cortez Byrd and Danny Watts; sister-in-law, Barbara Byrd; and nephew, Reggie Watts.

Those who remain to cherish her memory are, her son, Michael Cato Lofton; daughter, Michelle Lofton Mangold and husband, Vince; granddaughter, Anna Katelyn Mangold; sisters, Beverly Cato Watts and Lucy Cato Goodson and husband, Tommy; aunt, Peggy Smith; nephews and nieces, Terry Byrd and wife, Liz, Tonya Stewart and husband, Gary, Dana Alexander, Betsey Smith and husband, Trent; and numerous great-nieces and nephews.

Condolences and other information are available online at www.riverwoodfamily.com.