Cedar Rapids, IA -- Martha Allison, 81, of South Carolina and New Jersey, passed away July 24, 2011 in Cedar Rapids, IA. Martha was born December 24, 1929 in Milledgeville, GA to George and Louise Little. She was raised by her mother and step-father, Damon Martin. Martha married B.F. Allison in Blacksburg, SC on April 20, 1946. She was an excellent cook and a creative seamstress, making clothes for her children. Mrs. Allison was a past president of the American Legion Post 81 Ladies Auxillary and traveled many places with her husband while he was in the military. She worked in retail and did bookkeeping for several businesses throughout the years. Martha loved many things: she loved her family, she loved to read, especially mysteries, she loved music and dancing with her husband, she loved music boxes, and she loved her cats. Mrs. Allison is survived by her children, Joy (Bob) Cummings of Cedar Rapids, IA, Lana (Skip) Portale of Galloway, NJ, Bennett (Nora) Allison of Delaware, Brian Allison of Pleasantville, NJ, and Brent Allison of Blacksburg, SC; six grandchildren, Janet, Allison, Bennett Jr., Michael, Brent Jr., and Briana; 11 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandson; two sisters, Norma Martin of Easley, SC and Patty Braithwaite of Tampa, FL; a brother, Michael Martin, of Tampa, FL; and her good friend, Anne LeRosa, of New Jersey. Her parents and her husband of 65 years, B.F. Allison, preceded her in death. A memorial service to celebrate her life will be held on Saturday, August 20, 2011, from 2:00 until 4:00 PM at Gordon Mortuary in Blacksburg, SC. The Book of Memories is available at www.gordonmortuary.com.