Martha Frederick

Martha married the love of her life, Clyde Frederick, on December 22, 1962, and they shared 58 years of marriage until his passing on January 5, 2021. Martha was preceded in death by her younger sister, Jane, who passed away from breast cancer. In honor of her sister’s memory, Martha volunteered for many years in a national Sister Study to help advance breast cancer research.

Together, Clyde and Martha raised two sons, Kyle (Anita Jones) and Kurt (Angie Hagstrom), who were the center of her world. She was “Nana” to six grandchildren - Emily Anne, Carolina, Claire, Laurel, Lily, and Daisy, each of whom she adored.

Martha lived a life of selfless, steady service that started in her own home. Caring for her family was her joy, and she expressed her love through feeding them. A true Southern cook, she delighted in preparing meals and watching the people she loved enjoy them.

Service was also the heart of her professional life. Martha was a dedicated educator for more than 30 years, earning both a master’s and a specialist degrees in teaching and reading education. As a reading specialist, she worked tirelessly to help struggling students grow in confidence and ability, while challenging advanced readers to reach their potential. Her patience, skill, and belief in every child left a lasting impact on countless students.

For over three decades, Martha also taught Children’s Choir at Rehoboth Baptist Church in Tucker, Georgia - a place deeply meaningful to both her and Clyde. There, she loved teaching music, especially guiding children to sing and play along on the autoharp. Children from all backgrounds passed through her choir room, and she welcomed and loved them all.

After retiring, Martha continued her commitment to children by volunteering at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, helping young patients keep up with their reading while in the hospital. Even when the work was emotionally difficult, she felt called to continue helping any child she could.

Outside of teaching, one of Martha’s greatest passions was quilting. She was an artist in the truest sense, devoting a year or more to a single quilt, stitching beauty and care into every inch. Her quilts were gifts of love; each one made with a specific person in mind.

Martha’s love for people from all walks of life was broadened by her lifelong love of reading. She read widely - stories from around the world, from many cultures and perspectives, and it shaped her compassionate, expansive worldview.

Martha leaves behind a legacy of kindness, service, music, learning, and love. She touched countless lives - students, children, patients, friends, family - and the world is unquestionably better because she was here.

Service details:

Family and friends are invited to gather for a visitation at 1:00 p.m. at Rehoboth Baptist Church in Tucker, Georgia. A service celebrating Martha’s life will follow at 2:00 p.m., with interment immediately afterward at Floral Hills Cemetery in Tucker.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Children's Healthcare of Atlanta.