Martha Weeks Daniel of Rocky Mount, North Carolina, died peacefully on Tuesday, February 18th, 2026 at the age of 81.

Martha was born on August 24, 1944, in Durham, NC to the late Mildred Holley Weeks and Dr. K.D. Weeks, Sr. The eldest of three children, she delighted in her role as the self-appointed "sheriff" of the West Haven neighborhood where she grew up, leading her younger brothers, Dr. K.D. Weeks, Jr. of Charlotte, NC, and David Weeks of Weddington, NC, with spirited confidence and humor. Many of the most formative chapters of Martha's young life, however, were the summers she spent as both a camper and counselor at Camp Yonahlossee in Blowing Rock. She remained deeply connected to her Yonahlosseefriends—affectionately known as "The Sisters of the Y"—through decades of reunions, including their most recent gathering this past fall.

After graduating as a proud Black Bird of Rocky Mount Senior High School, Martha attended St. Mary's Junior College, where she made lifelong friends and was recognized for her artistic talent, creativity, and independent spirit. She was named one of eight Outstanding Seniors, an honor reflecting her individuality and her courage in standing firmly for causes she believed were right. One of Martha's most transformative experiences at St. Mary's was performing as a member of the Cold Cuts musical group, which led to her lifelong love of entertaining others with the music she played on her guitar and ukulele.

Martha completed her undergraduate studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she was a devoted member of Chi Omega—a connection she treasured sharing with her daughters, Holley Daniel McArthur of Charlotte, NC, and Dr. Sarah Daniel Maddison of Raleigh, NC. A lifelong Tar Heel, Martha remained actively engaged with the university for many years, serving on the Morehead-Cain Scholarship Regional Selection Committee, the Carolina Women's Leadership Council, and the Board of Visitors.

Following college, Martha married the love of her life, Edward Curtis Daniel, Jr. of Spring Hope, NC. When Curt enlisted as an officer in the United States Air Force and attended pilot training in Selma, AL, Martha proudly accepted a position as the first white teacher at a traditionally segregated school, where she also had the privilege of serving as the school's first art teacher. After Curt's training, the couple was stationed at Ramey Air Force Base in Puerto Rico, where Martha enjoyed four of the happiest years of her life as an officer's wife and young mother. Their sun-drenched days were filled with friendship, rum drinks, snorkeling, and adventurous day trips to nearby islands in "puddle jumpers" flown by Curt between his deployments to Southeast Asia.

Martha, Curt, and their daughter Holley eventually returned to Rocky Mount, where Sarah soon joined the family—along with a much-loved succession of pets, especially her devoted canine companions, Toto, Pressley, and Ginger. A gifted and entrepreneurial spirit, Martha founded two successful businesses, Shoestring Productions and Daniel Design, building a respected career as a graphic designer. As a trailblazing young entrepreneur, she was recognized as one of five Outstanding Young Women of North Carolina by the NC Jaycettes and was later honored as Small Business Woman of the Year by the Rocky Mount Chamber of Commerce.

Her accomplishments were supported every step of the way by her endlessly patient, lifelong partner-in-crime, Curt, who served as her "drink sweetener," chief problem-solver, and unconditional technical support for countless projects. In 2003, Martha earned her certificate in Documentary Studies at Duke University. She and Curt went on to co-found Down East Documentaries, producing several regionally popular films and personal histories together. Martha's life and work were also enriched by her best friend and faithful co-conspirator, Eliza Bowen, whose unwavering love and support until the final hours of her last day meant the world to her.

Martha will be remembered as a creative force of nature with an irreverent wit. She was fiercely loyal to those she loved and easily found joy in the simple pleasures of life, like a night at the movies, a good hot dog, and a Diet Coke on ice. She will be dearly missed, but the void she leaves will be filled with the kind of stories that naturally come from a life well lived!

In addition to her husband, Curt; her daughters, Holley and Sarah; and her brothers, K.D. and David, Martha is survived by her five beloved grandchildren: Charlotte McArthur Lucas of Charlotte, NC; Sarah Margaret McArthur of Del Mar, CA; Mary Daniel McArthur of Charlotte, NC; Laurence Beckley Maddison, IV of Raleigh, NC; and Katherine Woodall Maddison of Raleigh, NC. One of Martha's greatest joys was living vicariously through their many adventures and accomplishments. The grandchildren shared a steady stream of photos with friends, funny texts, and, on occasion, their location with Martha, who responded in turn with an emphatic stream of her favorite emojis.

The family extends heartfelt gratitude to the wonderful staff at The Barclay House of Tarboro and CorsoCare for their compassionate care and support during Martha's final chapter.

The family will host a visitation at 111 Wildwood Avenue in Rocky Mount, NC, at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, February 20, 2026. A celebration of life will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 21, 2026, at Good Shepherd Episcopal Church, with a reception to follow at Benvenue Country Club. For those unable to attend, the service will be livestreamed at http://www.goodshepherdlive.org .

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Animal Crackers, PO Box 8860, Rocky Mount, NC 27804.