Irene Taylor Martin

Irene Taylor Martin, 84, died April 17, 2010 at her home in Spencer. She was born November 23, 1925 in Lovingston, Virginia to Robert Manson Taylor and Madge Pratt Taylor.

She moved with her family to the Taylor family farm (near Spencer) upon the death of her father in December of 1926.

She was preceded in death by her parents, five brothers, Robert, William, Sam Frank, Carson and Daniel and her beloved husband of fifty-seven years, James L. Martin who died July 4, 2008. Her nephew, William A. Taylor, Jr. died in Texas December 2009.

Irene graduated as valedictorian of Spencer-Penn High School in 1942. She graduated from Westhampton College of the University of Richmond in 1946. She began her career in education in Sandy Ridge, NC where she taught for two years. She transferred to teach at her alma mater Spencer-Penn in 1948. During the summers she attended Graduate School at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the University of Virginia in Charlottesville where she received her Master's Degree in Education. She remained at Spencer-Penn as a teacher until her promotion to work as a supervisor for the Henry County School Board in 1957. While serving there she was Personnel Director as well as Supervisor for English, Guidance and Elementary Grades six and seven. She retired from Henry County in 1985, but then went to work for the State Board of Education in Supervising beginning teachers for the Western Division. She again retired in 1990; then devoted her time to the care of her invalid mother until her death at age 101 in 2001.

Always active, she constantly studied history and genealogy, as well as tending the family farm in Spencer. She served many years as Chaplain of the General Joseph Martin Chapter of the DAR. She was awarded outstanding State Chaplain in 2007. Irene was one of the founders of the Spencer-Penn Alumni Association where she served for nineteen years as Chairperson of the George Burton Scholarship Committee. This committee awards scholarships to seniors who attended Spencer-Penn School or had a parent/grandparent who graduated from Spencer-Penn High School. Upon the closing of the school she supported the efforts of those who envisioned the creation of the Spencer-Penn Centre. She was also a generous supporter of the Bassett Historical Center. The Piedmont Arts Docents was a priority in her life.

She is survived by sisters-in-law Hazel Taylor and Mary Taylor of Martinsville, Pauline Tatum of Stuart, Hallie Shaffer of Mayodan, NC, Everjean James of Madison, NC, Virginia Collins of Lawsonville, NC, nephews Richard Taylor of Frisco, Texas and Dr. Robert L. Taylor, Jr. of Lee, New Hampshire, four great nieces and two great nephews as well as cherished friends, Debbie and Cliff Corns, of Stuart. A lifelong member of Mayo Baptist Church, she cherished it and the memories of her ancestors and family there.

The funeral will be Wednesday, April 21 at 2;00 P. M. at Collins-McKee-Stone Funeral Home Chapel with burial following in the cemetery at Mayo Baptist Church in Spencer. Visitation will be April 20, Tuesday at 6:00 -8:00 P. M. and one hour prior to the service on the 21st.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Spencer-Penn Centre, P. O. Box 506, Spencer, VA 24165; Mayo Baptist Church Cemetery, c/o Joye Nelson 515 Old Well Church Road, Spencer, VA 24165; Bassett Historical Center, 3964 Fairystone Park Hwy., Bassett, VA 24055.

Arrangements under the direction of Collins-McKee-Stone Funeral Services, Martinsville, VA.