Mrs. Martha Johnston Blocker

CELEBRATION OF THE LIFE OF MARTHA MURDOCH JOHNSTON BLOCKER Martha was born on February 12, 1936, in Wilmington, NC. Her parents are Rev. Frank Smith Johnston Sr. (deceased March 1974) and Helen Thomas Watson Johnston (deceased September 1972) and her siblings are Jeannie Hamilton Johnston Martin of Tacoma, WA and Dr. Frank Smith Johnston Jr. of Raleigh, NC (deceased June 2003). She received her earliest education in Wilmington, NC and later in Paw Creek, NC. Martha matriculated at East Carolina College (now University) in Greenville, NC, 1954-1958. From 1958-1962 she taught English at John Gorríe Junior High School in Jacksonville, FL, where she met Richard Daniel Blocker Jr., her future husband. On August 24, 1963, they were married in Wilmington, NC. They resided first in Chevy Chase, MD, 1963-1965. She taught English at North Bethesda Junior High School in Bethesda, MD. In July 1965 they purchased their first home in Falls Church, VA, and there they began their family. A son, Rick, was born on March 5, 1966, and a son, Mark, was born on June 14, 1968. In July 1972 they moved to Vienna, VA and when Rick was in college and Mark was a senior in high school, she began work with the CIA, 1984-1994. By August 1999 they moved to St. Marys, GA, but returned to VA in May 2011, residing at The Culpeper in Culpeper, VA, where she died on September 20, 2023. In college she was active in the YWCA, holding several leadership positions in the group. As a child she was a Girl Scout and in Summer 1959, she worked at the Girl Scout Camp in Magisca, NJ. At the end of the summer, she was offered a full-time position in the Girl Scout organization. She and Richard travelled extensively during their marriage, visiting all 50 US states, several European countries, Canada, Mexico and the Holy Land. Martha has been active in church activities most of her life, serving in leadership roles. In Vienna and in St. Marys she was instrumental in creating senior-age fellowship groups. In 2002 she was elected an Elder in the Presbyterian Church and served on the Session at St. Marys Presbyterian Church from 2002- 2005. Her pride and joy have been her family. Immediate Family: Husband, Richard D. Blocker Jr. Two married sons, Rick (wife Tanya Taylor) and Mark (wife Karen Clegg). Five Grandchildren: Jessica (husband Jon Janson), Nikki (husband Corey Rundall), Erin, Jacob, and Matthew Blocker. Two Great Granddaughters: Grace Elizabeth Rundall and Evelyn Jane Janson.