Born in Greenville County, S.C., Martha was a lifelong resident of Greenville. She was the daughter of Roy Criswell Watkins and Mary Ellen Finley Watkins. Martha graduated from Greer High School in 1949 and attended the nursing school at Furman University. She was employed by Hunt Machine Works, Greenville Police Department as a school crossing guard, Monsanto Corporation, Kyrus and C. Richard Stewart, Esq.
Martha delighted in her children’s and grandchildren’s endeavors; she was often found at a swim meet, ball game, dance recital, or graduation, cheering on a loved one. Martha also enjoyed history and genealogy. She was past-president of Greenville’s Swim Association Invitational League (S.A.I.L.), a member of American Legion Auxiliary Unit 3, a member of Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR, Nathaniel Greene Chapter), United Daughters of the Confederacy (UDC, Greenville 51) and a pending member of Colonial Dames 17th Century (Reedy River Falls Chapter of Greenville) having traced her American ancestry back to 1633.
Martha is survived by her daughters and sons-in-law, Laura and Robert H. Wootten of Des Moines, Iowa, and Susan and Scott Kilgore of Greenville; her four grandchildren, Richard Wootten, Catherine Wootten, Dr. Geoffrey Kilgore (Elise) and Ellen Harrison (Scott); and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. She was pre-deceased by her brothers Roy C. Watkins and James Warren Watkins. She is survived by her dear, lifelong friend, Dr. George Dysart of Hendersonville, N.C.
A memorial service will be held on April 13, 2018, at 1:00 p.m. at Overbrook Baptist Church at 1705 East North Street in Greenville. Burial will be immediately following the service at Woodlawn Memorial Park. The family will receive friends at 11:00 a.m. in the church social hall.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to the Greenville Humane Society at 305 Airport Road, Greenville, SC 29607, the Confederate History Museum at 15 Boyce Avenue, Greenville, SC 29601 or the charity of your choice.
