Martha Harris

Few have maintained, molded, cared for and touched the lives of so many. After years of suffering repeated strokes, the family is mourning the loss of their beloved, but celebrating a life well lived and loved: a person who touched the lives of not only family but both childhood and professional friends. She was known as Martha to her friends, cousins, sorority sisters and loving husband of almost 60 years, Bob; mama to Bobby (Peg), Scott (Wendy) and Dru; and Grandmommy to her eight grandchildren and Gigi to her ten great-grandchildren. She graduated in 1957 from Phillips High School and attended the University of Alabama where she joined the Phi Mu sorority. She met her future husband by chance on her way to a wedding in Cullman. They married on August 17, 1959, and left Alabama for Oklahoma where they stayed until Bob graduated from Oklahoma State University. After moving back to Alabama with a small boy in tow, she was hired by Dr. Kirklin at UAB, being his first employee. She worked with him while completing her undergraduate and graduate degrees. While being a family matriarch, Sunday school teacher, team mother and taxi service to her children, grandchildren and their childhood friends, she was also a devoted educator. For 25 years, she touched countless souls and molded countless lives while maintaining membership in many professional organizations. As a testament to her love and dedication as a consummate educator, she kept trinkets from her students who touched her life as much as she touched theirs. Ultimately, retiring from the Hoover City School system, she was able to spend all her time giving and receiving love. Being a teacher allowed her the summertime to spend much time on and in the water making memories both at Gulf Shores and at the family lake house on Smith Lake where she resided with her loving family until her passing. She enjoyed boating, traveling, UAB basketball, Alabama football, everything about The Oklahoma State Cowboys, playing the piano and mostly, all things family. Due to her love of nature, the family requests that in lieu of flowers that you make a donation to the Arbor Day Foundation. The family will receive friends at Ridout’s Elmwood Chapel on Monday, March 26, 2018, at 11:00 a.m. with a graveside service to follow at noon. Burial will be at Elmwood Cemetery.