Martha Ann Edwards West

Born February 18, 1934, in Fountain Inn, SC, she was the daughter of the late Ralph Richard and Nancy Mildred “Nan” Usher Edwards. She is predeceased by her siblings, Nancy E. Thomason, R. Richard Edwards, Jr., and Mary E. Smith and her first husband, George DeKalb Martin. Her grandparents were John Tally and Eliza Jane Bennett Usher of Bennettsville, SC and John and Callie Edwards of Fountain Inn, SC.

Mrs. West was a 1951 honor graduate of Fountain Inn High School. She attended Converse College.

Martha and Doug were married on Valentine’s Day in 1960, at Trinity United Methodist Church in Fountain Inn, SC. Their courtship began in the autumn of 1959 after an introduction by Tommy Greer through their respective roles with Texize. Their first date was a Clemson football game and they continued cheering for the Tigers throughout their forty-seven-year marriage.

Martha embraced motherhood with passion, patience, and love as she and Doug welcomed their children Jay and Julie. Volunteering in her children’s classrooms and extra-curricular activities kept her moving about while still preparing and serving dinner promptly at seven. Martha’s checkbook was always balanced.

Like her mother, Nan, Martha enjoyed entertaining, arranging flowers, and planning memorable Clemson tailgates especially during the years Jay and Julie were students at Clemson, and for their classmates who to this day fondly remember her ham biscuits, sweet tea, and brownies.

Martha began playing bridge at Converse and continued to enjoy the friendships nurtured over the years at the tables with many bridge ladies. She particularly enjoyed her “Serious Bridge” club whom she described as players who just “hush up and deal the cards.”

Martha and Doug traveled throughout his career and for many years following his retirement. Every trip required wardrobe additions and Martha always arrived at their destinations in style. Their favorite destination was Litchfield Beach for the annual family vacation, creating decades of fond memories.

Doug knew how much Martha loved baubles and honored her often with beautiful gifts. Perhaps Doug’s favorite gift for Martha was a set of Patty Berg golf clubs to be used while enjoying the fairways at Carolina Golf and Tennis Club. Couples “Wing Dings” offered fun and fellowship for Doug and Martha. Years later when Doug became a founding member of Thornblade, she and the other wives of the “Silver Blades” gathered for post-round dinners in the clubhouse.

Martha and Doug held church central to the family. Their church affiliations included Northside UMC, St. Francis Episcopal Church, Aldersgate UMC, and Buncombe Street UMC, where The Roundtable Sunday School Class provided a meaningful forum for teaching, learning and close fellowship. Martha served as a choir member, Trustee, and in many other ministries in every place she worshiped with her family.

She is survived by her son, William Douglas “Jay” West Jr. (Kathryn) of Richmond, VA and her daughter, Julie Edwards West of Greenville; her grandson William Douglas “Doug”, West III of Denver, CO and her granddaughter Jane Elizabeth “Janie” West of Charlotte, NC as well as many nieces and nephews, and of course, her grand dogs who loved their Nana.

Martha’s love and commitment to her family remained steady and strengthened with each passing year. Even in her final days she expressed joy in sharing a meal with Jay and Julie. We rejoice that Martha and Doug are reunited. We take comfort that Doug may greet her with a new bauble on her arrival in heaven while flashing his infectious smile, and what a joyous reunion it will be!

Funeral services will be held at Buncombe Street Methodist Church on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. with a private burial at Woodlawn Memorial Park Mausoleum.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Clemson University’s Lillian and Robert Utsey Chamber Music Endowment c/o the Robert Howell Brooks Center for the Performing Arts, Meals on Wheels, or to the charity of one’s choice.

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