Martha was born in Calhoun, Georgia to the late William F. “Doc” and Athaly Lyons Brown. She was a graduate of Red Bud High School where she was a member of the Basketball team and a graduate of McKenzie Business College. Martha served as Secretary-Treasurer with Chattanooga Funeral Home for more than 50 years and was still active serving her friends as a licensed funeral director. Martha was employed with Chattanooga Funeral Home for 71 years and it was the only job she has had as she came directly to work from college. She was an active member of Brainerd Baptist Church and the Love Sunday School Class. Martha served in many capacities with the Business and Professional Women’s Club. She and her late husband loved to bowl and they enjoyed their bowling leagues and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband, John T. Ragland; son, Jim Ragland; and all her siblings, Ralph M. and Melvin V. “Bill” Brown, Frances Brown Brookshire, Roy L. and Albert Brown.
Martha is survived by her nieces and nephews, Felton Brown, Patricia Compton, Brenda Waller and Drucilla Brookshire; daughter, Sue Barron; grandchildren, Greg Hollingsworth, Debra Hopkins, Brad and Chris Ragland; 3 great grandchildren; 2 great great grandchildren.
The family will receive friends from 2 to 6 pm on Friday, Oct. 5, and 12 to 1:30 pm on Saturday, Oct. 6, at the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home.
A Celebration of Life will follow at 1:30 pm on Saturday, at the North Chapel with Dr. Winford L. Hendrix and Reverend Steve Rowland officiating. Entombment will follow in Hamilton Memorial Gardens with Chattanooga’s Funeral Home funeral directors serving as pallbearers and the Love Sunday School Class and employees of the funeral home to serve as honorary pallbearers.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Martha’s name to Brainerd Baptist Church, 300 Brookfield Ave., Chattanooga, TN 37411, or Hospice of Chattanooga, 4411 Oakwood Drive, Chattanooga, TN 37416 or to the Butterfly Garden at the Tennessee Aquarium, 1 Broad Street, Chattanooga, TN 37402.
Arrangements are by the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory and Florist, 5401 Highway 153, Hixson, TN 37343. Please share your thoughts and memories at www.chattanooganorthchapel.com
