Martha White

MARTHA WHITE

Marion

Martha Smith White, 93, passed away Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2015, at her home in Marion. Memorial services will be 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 24, at First Presbyterian Church, Marion, conducted by the Rev. Howard Chapman and Associate Pastor Beth Hilker-Baumen. Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 23, at Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Center, Marion. Burial will be 3 p.m. Saturday at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery, Cedar Rapids.

Martha was born Feb. 25, 1921, in Richland, Iowa, the daughter of Frederick and Kathryn (Wilson) Smith. She graduated from Richland High School in 1938 and received her B.A. degree in education from Grinnell in 1942. She came to Marion in 1942 and taught at Emerson School and later at Buchanan School in Cedar Rapids. On June 30, 1947, Martha was united in marriage to Winfield White at her home in Richland.

She is survived by her two children: a daughter, Mary Elizabeth Barron, and her husband, Mike, and a son, Clark Winfield White, and his wife, Teresa; five grandchildren, Amanda and Christina Barron and Brendan, Caleb and Brody White; one great-granddaughter, Madaline White; a niece, Kathryn Kuhlman and her husband, Paul; Dianne George, wife of her late nephew, Fred George; and a special friend, Kay.

Martha was preceded in death by her husband, Winfield, in January 1998; her parents, Frederick and Kathryn Smith; an infant brother; a brother, William W. Smith; and a sister, Clara C. George.

Since 1947, Martha was an active member of First Presbyterian Church in Marion, where she served as a deacon and an elder. She was a charter member of Chapter KJPEO and a longtime member of O.O.P. Study Club and several bridge clubs. She volunteered for Meals on Wheels and was honored for 20 years of service in 1992.

Martha was a homemaker, mother and grandmother who loved her family and friends. She was in awe of God's order and the beauty of each new day and loved the change of seasons, with autumn and spring as her favorites. These were the people and things that filled her life with love, joy and anticipation.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Martha's memory may be made to First Presbyterian Church in Marion, The Churches of Marion Pantry and Hospice of Mercy.

The family would like to thank Hospice of Mercy, St. Luke's Hospital and Home Choice Senior Care for their care and support.

Share a memory of Martha at www.murdoch funeralhome.com under obituaries.