Martha Quinn McLaughlin

Martha Quinn McLaughlin, 87, peacefully passed away at her home on September 13, 2023, surrounded by her loved ones. Waiting for her with open arms was her loving husband of 47 years, William (Bill) McLaughlin, and many other family members and friends including her mother Cora Lee Quinn, her grandson Clint Forester and brother Hartwell Quinn.

Martha was born November 23, 1935, in Gainesville, GA. She graduated in 1953 from Jeff Davis High School in Hazelhurst, GA. She was an avid drummer and her claim to fame was leading her high school marching band as their drum major. After high school, she began her career at Bell South (formerly Southern Bell) and transferred to Jacksonville, FL, where she met and married Bill. After the birth of their daughters, she decided to stay home with her girls, but eventually, she returned to Bell South, where she retired.

Martha’s morals and ethics, along with her sweet, loving, giving personality, exemplified the life of a faithful Christian. Family members affectionately called her “Saint Marty” as a loving gesture of how nearly perfect she was. She loved kids and always opened her home to her children’s friends and treated them all as her own. Martha was a longtime member of the American Legion Auxiliary Post 137 and the 40/8 Cabane 304. She thoroughly enjoyed her philanthropy work with Child Welfare and was an active member of Murray Hill Baptist Church for over 60 years.

Martha and Bill were always up for a cross country road trip and made many memories with their best friends, Jim and Frances Schage, along with family, Bob and Johnnie McLaughlin, and Cleo and Betty Black. With the exception of Betty, these close friends and family all preceded her in death and we know they were all rejoicing when Martha joined them in heaven.

Martha’s greatest joy in life was her family. She supported all of them by attending and cheering them on at every ball game, dance recital, gymnastics competition, swim meet, cheer competition, as well as every school function. Those left to cherish her memory are her children: Susan McLaughlin, Arie and Patti Forester, and Donna Atkinson; grandchildren: Kelly Forester, Buddy Hanna, Brian and Lisa Mulder, Jonathan and Ari Wallace; great grandchildren: Briley, Ansley, Henry and Hadley; siblings: Betty Black, Becky Herrington and Hugh Quinn, and numerous loving nieces and nephews. Also, several great grand pets will miss her.

A visitation for Martha will be held Wednesday, September 20, 2023 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Hardage-Giddens, Riverside Memorial Park & Funeral Home, 7242 Normandy Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32205. A funeral service will occur Wednesday, September 20, 2023 at 12:00 PM, 7242 Normandy Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32205. A committal service will occur Wednesday, September 20, 2023 at Riverside Memorial Park, 7242 Normandy Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32205.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.hgriversidefuneralhome.com for the McLaughlin family.