KANNAPOLIS, N.C. — Martha Earnhardt, the mother of NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt Sr. and grandmother of Dale Earnhardt Jr., died on Christmas, according to a social media post by her granddaughter.
She was 91 years old, according to Kelley Earnhardt Miller.
Martha Earnhardt was the wife of Ralph Earnhardt and mother of Dale Sr., Danny Sr., Randy, Cathy and Kaye.
Her son, Danny Earnhardt Sr., died earlier this month at age 66.
Kelley Earnhardt Miller shared the news on her Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. The posts included a message on behalf of her and her brother, Dale Earnhardt Jr., commemorating their “mamaw.”
Kannapolis Mayor Darrell Hinnant released a statement regarding Mrs. Earnhardt’s passing.
“We are saddened to hear of the passing of Mrs. Martha Earnhardt. In addition to being the matriarch of a legendary racing family she was a treasured member of our community. This was evidenced a few years ago when she was named the Kannapolis Christmas Parade Grand Marshal and thousands showed up to honor her. If you dropped by her home you were always welcomed as if you were one of her family members that she loved so dearly. She would give you updates on all her children and their families and would want to ensure all was well with you. On behalf of the City of Kannapolis, we offer our deepest condolences to her family. She will be greatly missed.”
“On behalf of the France Family and all of NASCAR, we extend our condolences to the family and friends of Martha Earnhardt,” said Jim France and Lesa France Kennedy in an official NASCAR statement. “Martha was not only the matriarch of a legendary NASCAR family, but a beloved and respected figure within our industry and throughout the fanbase. We will dearly miss her grace, compassion and welcoming demeanor. To her grandchildren, she was ‘Mamaw.’ To millions of NASCAR fans, she was a treasure.”
Funeral arrangements
The family requests that memorials be made to either the Dale Jr. Foundation and/or Memorial Baptist Church located at 1785 Dale Earnhardt Blvd., Kannapolis, NC 28083. Online condolences may be left here.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Martha (Coleman) Earnhardt, please visit the floral store for the funeral home.
The funeral service will be held Wednesday, December 29, 2021 at noon at Memorial Baptist Church.
The family asks everyone attending to wear a mask and maintain social distance. The service will be livestreamed here for those who can’t attend.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
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