Mary W. Martin

Mary W. Martin, 102 Lakeland " Mary W. Martin passed away on January 21, 2014 due to natural causes. She was born on November 15, 1911 in Newnan, GA to Frank A. Willis and Octave (Holcomb) Willis. Mary was raised in Jacksonville, FL with her two sisters. She graduated from F.S.C.W. (now F.S.U.) in 1932 with a B.A. degree and received a M.A. degree from Duke University. After graduation, she taught English in Jacksonville for 10 years. She became one of the first commissioned officers of the S.P.A.R.S. (U.S. Coast Guard) working in communications. After the war, she moved to Chicago, where she met her husband of 26 years, Eugene H. Martin. Upon retirement, they moved to Dunedin, FL. After Eugene""s death, Mary moved to Lakeland, FL to be near her sister. Mary was predeceased by her husband, Eugene H. Martin and her sister, Ethel Mae Starbuck. She is survived by her sister, Margaret W. Huston; nieces Anne H. Whalen and Ellen M. Starbuck; nephew Frank F. Starbuck; several great nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held on February 5, 2014 at 11:00 AM at Hawthorn Inn, 6150 Lakeland Highlands Road. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Florida United Methodist Children""s Home, 51 Children""s Way, Enterprise, FL 32725 or SPCA Florida, 5850 Brannon Road South, Lakeland, FL 33813 Service: 02/05/2014 Hawthorn Inn 6150 Lakeland Highlands Road, Lakeland, FL. 33813