Martha J. White Barth

Martha Jane White Barth of Silver Spring, MD, 95 years young, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 18, 2023. She was born on February 15, 1928, in Nanticoke, MD to Everett and Mabel White. She grew up on Maryland’s Eastern Shore with her three sisters, Georgia, Madelyn, and Charlotte, and graduated from the State Teachers College at Salisbury, MD in 1948. Martha taught elementary school in Dundalk, MD, and later worked as a substitute teacher in Montgomery County, MD. She then worked at District Maryland Realty before joining Allied Realty Corporation until she retired in 2015.

Martha was athletic and active with a healthy sense of adventure. She fenced, and played softball, basketball and field hockey through college and continued to enjoy activities such as biking and sailing in later years. She loved being near the water and had a special love of crabs; she was the first to arrive and last to leave a crab feast, and she had countless crab decorations in her home. Her favorite foods included muskrat, oysters, key lime pie and Smith Island cake. Martha had a love for music, especially country and Jimmy Buffet, and never turned down a margarita. She was well known for taking far too many pictures to document any gathering, which is now greatly appreciated by her family as we cherish the memories. Martha had many friends and a busy social calendar; she loved to play cards, especially cribbage, and go out to eat. She also enjoyed traveling and loved to dance.

Martha was a long-standing member of St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in Silver Spring; MD and she was forever guided by her relationship with God and her deep faith. She was actively involved in and supported the Caring Ministries programs at St. Luke’s, particularly their food pantry. She frequently shared updates about St. Luke’s ministries with her family and friends, and she remained connected to St. Luke’s through prayer partners.

Most of all, Martha loved to be with her family. She was always up for a BBQ, brewery, all great-grandchild events and activities, or anywhere that family gathered. Most recently, Martha was able to celebrate her 95th birthday during a weekend getaway with family, which was filled with love and laughter.

Martha is survived by her son, Michael Barth and his wife, Carol, of Laurel, MD; her daughter, Sue Busbey, of Damascus, MD; Rob Busbey of Frederick, MD; and Andy and Meg Jones of Jaffrey, NH. She is also survived by her grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Brian and Janelle Barth, their children Tyler and Alyssa; Kristin (Barth) and Kevin Gaughan, their children Hannah and Ryan; Christopher and Jennifer Busbey, their children Claire, Wyatt, and Quinn; Katie (Busbey) and Charles Morgan, and children Colin Simpson, Cameron, Christian, and Colby; and Michael Busbey and his wife Hellen Rios Carrillo.  She is also survived by a daughter of the heart, Lisa Heckathorn. Martha was preceded in death by her daughter, Penny Jo Barth Jones; her sister, Georgia Mandich; her sister and brother-in-law, Madelyn and Boyd Williams; and her sister, Charlotte Matsen.

Martha was fun, giving, independent, outgoing and thoughtful, with a fantastic sense of humor. Her laughter was contagious, and she will be deeply missed by all who loved her.

A service will be held on Tuesday, August 1, 2023, at 11:00 am at St Luke’s Lutheran Church in Silver Spring, MD, with a luncheon at the church immediately following.

In memory of Martha, donations may be made to the food bank at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church. Donations may be made online or via a check mailed to the church at 9100 Colesville Rd, Silver Spring, MD 20910 notate ‘food bank’ in the memo line if donating via check.
 

Online condolences may be shared with his family on our website at www.molesworthwilliams.com

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