Martha Carolyn Marshall

Martha C. Marshall, 83 died Wednesday, July 19, 2006 at the NHC Healthcare Center, 3209 Bristol Highway, Johnson City. She was a native of Johnson City, daughter of the late Joel Wilford and Maude Walsh Marshall and was of the Baptist faith. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a sister, Fannie Rhea Sienknecht and two brothers, Walter Carson and Bill Marshall. Survivors include: a sister, Etta Mae Leach of Johnson City; two great nieces, Susan Ballard of Columbia and Allison Wallace of Jonesborough; two nieces, Susan Wallace and Karen Whittaker both of Jonesborough; two great great nephews, Johnathan Ross and Justin Tyler Ballard. Martha was a retired teacher from Bristol Tennessee High School, where she taught history and sponsored a number of school activities. She also served as an instructor for ETSU adult education and in the Vaten Shool of Arts and Crafts. She received the B. S. degree from ETSU, the M.A. from Vanderbilt and holds the Honorary Cultural Doctor of Philosophy. She attended a number of universities to further her education including scholarships to the University of Hawii, Travel study to the U.S.S.R. (Kent University), Monterrey (Mexico), Miami of Ohio and Europe. She frequently lectured on her travels and subjects of historical interest. She was active in local historical, educational and civic groups. She served as co-historian of the state Delta Kappa Gamma Society for more than ten years and was responsible for the continuous process of recording and writing their history. A charter member of the Sullivan County historical society, she served as president of that group and was an active member of the Washington County organization. She served as two terms as state president of the National League of American Pen Women and was an editor of the One Hundred Year History of the National League of American Pen Women. A second volume history book was Chronicles of NLAPW in Tennessee. She recently was awarded a national 'Martha Bolton Publicity Award in 2004.' Miss Marshall developed a program with the Freedom?s Foundation in which Tennessee High School received more than twenty national annual awards. For her efforts she was presented the prestigious 'Dogwood Teachers Award' and was one of twenty U.S. teachers honored at the White House reception by Mrs. Pat Nixon. She was chosen as Teacher of the Year' by the state and was honored as the 'outstanding teacher of Tennessee' by the DAR and the 'Jefferson Davis Award' by the U. D. C. The Parent - Teachers Association presented her with a life-time award for 'important contributions to the youth of the area.' She was selected as an 'Outstanding Educator of America' in 1973, was listed in the Registry of Outstanding Professionals of America 2002 - 2004 and 'Medal of Honor 2000' (American Biographical Institute). National Retired Teacher of the Year 2006. Miss Marshall was the author of several books including Saga of the Vikings of THS, Many Patches Ago, Voices From the Chapel (2) Glimpses From the Hills and co-editor of Entering A New Century, (1900). Her museum-quality quilt collection has been seen in many exhibitions including the 'Taste of Tennessee' by Vice_President Al Gore, Opryland Exhibit Hall and additional museum and area shows. A funeral service is scheduled for Friday, July 21, 2006 at 8:00 p.m. in the North Chapel of the Morris - Baker Funeral Home under the direction of Rev. Harold Bahlow. The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. until time of services at eight. A private committal service will be held in the Happy Valley Cemetery at a later date. Memorials may be made in the form of contributions to the Boone?s Creek Christian Church Building Fund, 365 Christian Church Road, Gray, TN 37615.