Martha A. Battle

Mrs. Martha "Marty" (Nixon) Battle was born on February 9, 1948 in Coatesville, PA. She was the oldest of two born to Howard and Armenta Nixon. She went on to be with the Lord peacefully at GW University Hospital on April 27, 2022, at the age of 74.

When Marty was very young, she had multiple back surgeries and was confined inside for years. During that time, she really enjoyed reading. As she got older and healed from her surgeries, she loved being outside like all the other kids, playing hide and seek and tag. She had some physical limitations that would not allow her to do some things other kids did, but she did not quit. This motto was reflected in how she lived her life. She attended Octorara High School, Atglen, PA. She won the Spelling Bee at her school and was invited to Washington, DC for the National Spelling Bee – where she triumphantly came in second place. This was part of her inspiration to move to Washington, DC. After she graduated from high school in 1967, she attended Lincoln University to study English – where she was one of the first graduating classes of women. After college, she worked for her father as a bookkeeper in his garage. Marty started her professional career in Washington, DC as a Settlements Officer in the early 1970’s at Berens Associates, a mortgage banking firm. Soon after, Marty was united in holy matrimony to her beloved husband, Ronald Battle. In 1981, Marty started a position as a Benefits Assistant in the Personnel Department at Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA). She had an illustrious career and worked her way up through the Compensation and Benefits Branch, Recruitment, Classification and other specialty projects. She retired as an Insurance Program Administrator in Human Resources Benefits Department in 2003. Marty loved to have a good time. Marty joined a new chapter of the Red Hat Society called the Red Hot Babes that was formed by her best friend, JoAnn Freeman. The Society's main purpose is to dress up in red hats and purple regalia for women 50+ and pink hats and lavender outfits for women under 50. It gives women an opportunity to focus on friendship, frivolity, fun, sisterhood and allows women the freedom of aging in addition to helping women keep each other strong. Marty named herself Lady Little One, as each member has a royal title. The ladies get together as often as possible and have tons of fun.

Marty loved to read, dance with her husband, play the piano, socialize, and cook – she was also an avid sports fanatic. She was an exceptional wife, sister, daughter, friend, and co-worker. Marty is survived by her husband, Ronald Battle; her brother, Howard "Bud" Nixon, Sr. (Wilma) of Quarryville, PA, and a host of other relatives and friends. All that knew Marty, remember her as a devoted friend, family member, and dedicated wife