April 3, 2024, 80, Mount Olive —

Mrs. Margaret  Martin Cekada, at the age of 80, passed from this life into the next, early evening on Wednesday, April 3, 2024, while being cared for at Parkwood Village in Wilson.

Mrs. Cekada was one of the daughters of the late Elias James Martin and Annie James “Jim” Mathis Martin.  She was a native of Mount Olive but had resided in Alaska for a long while, before returning to Mount Olive for the Cekada couple to enjoy their retirement years.  She was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Mount Olive, and the Friends of Steele Memorial Library.  She enjoyed sports and was a devoted fan of UNC Tar Heels, and the University of Mount Olive Trojans.

Mrs. Cekada is survived by her husband, Emil Lewis Cekada; a daughter and son-in-law, Emily Cekada Draayer and Kyle Draayer, of Anchorage, Alaska; a son and daughter-in-law, Dr. Emil J. Cekada and Jennifer Cekada, of Wilson; grandchildren, Erica Cekada, Lauren Cekada, Justin McDaniel and wife, Tara, and Amber Draayer; a sister, Sylvia Martin Pritchard of Goldsboro; and a niece, Jimi Catherine Crampton.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, April 9, at 2:00 p.m. at Tyndall Funeral Home in Mount Olive, and will be followed by visitation until 5 p.m.