Martha Earnhardt, 91, died on Christmas Day. Kelley Earnhardt Miller, her grandchildren, and Dale Earnhardt Jr. confirmed the news in a statement.
It read, in part: “Please keep our family in the thoughts and prayers. We thank you so much that you loved our Mamaw like your own.” She was more than just the matriarch of our family. She was also the matriarch of multiple generations.
NASCAR.com reports that Martha Earnhardt remained at her Kannapolis family home and was an active participant in the community. In the “comfortable downtown,” she was “frequently meeting people at the statue in the likeness of her eldest son.” At the 2002 tribute plaza’s groundbreaking, she waved a ceremonial flag. Her home was open to visitors who are interested in the ‘Dale Trail,’ a network of racing landmarks that runs through Cabarrus County.
Dale Jr. shared a touching tribute to his grandmother on Instagram with a series family photos. He wrote, “I’m grateful that I got to say she I loved before she died. She lived a wonderful life. Amazing things she witnessed and experienced in her 91 years. I wish we all have the opportunity to enjoy such a rich life and end it with peace. Until then
Ralph, Martha’s husband, and her sons Dale and Randy were the last to be with her. Danny, who was 66 years old, died two weeks ago. Kaye and Cathy are her daughters. She also leaves behind 11 grandchildren and many great-grandchildren.
