Martha Bonner Eskew

Martha Bonner Eskew, 88, died peacefully in her sleep on June 7, 2023. A native of Birmingham, she is preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, Robert L. Eskew, Sr., a son, Robert Leroy Eskew, Jr., a sister, Margie Bonner McIntosh, and a brother, William Bonner. Born on September 28, 1934 to Thomas Elliot Bonner and Nannie Duke, Martha attended Edgewood Elementary and Shades Valley High Schools before matriculating at Huntingdon College and the Alabama Polytechnic Institute at Auburn from which she graduated in 1956. With marriage to her high school sweetheart Bob-their heart-shaped picture sharing a milkshake graced the Valentine's Day front page of the Shades Valley Sun-the newlyweds first settled in Homewood where she began an active social life, attended Trinity United Methodist Church, and raised a family. In 1957 she joined as a charter member Les Jeunes Meres Study Club with its women becoming her lifelong friends. Throughout she served as a Sunday School and Vacation Bible School teacher, as a leader in Bible Study Fellowship and a volunteer through the Children's Service League for the Allan Cott School. Following the death of her firstborn, Martha and Bob received a Peace rose plant which initiated a shared passion to raise beautiful floribundas, grandifloras and hybrid teas. As a member of the flower guilds at Vestavia Hills United Methodist Church and Vestavia Hills Baptist Church, she made floral arrangements featuring roses. Often she gave blossoms away to family, friends, and neighbors for their enjoyment but also for use in bridal showers, teas, and weddings. Their rose garden in the Tanglewood subdivision boasted hundreds of bushes prompting several articles in the Birmingham News. Active with Bob in the Birmingham Rose Society, Martha held most of its offices, helped with the annual Mother's Day Rose Show, and assisted both District and National committees of the American Rose Society. Her floral arrangements won top honors in rose shows. A certified American Rose Judge, the American Rose Society named her a "Master Rosarian." With Bob, she became a master gardener at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens, often volunteering and answering questions. She loved the Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, attended the Alabama Shakespeare Festival, and frequented the Birmingham Museum of Art. In earlier years she played tennis and golf and remained an avid Auburn sports fan. Martha is survived by children Rebecca E. Carter (Joe) of Aiken, S.C.; Glenn Thomas Eskew of Madison, GA; John Robert Eskew (DeAnna) of Dallas, Texas; grandchildren Bonner Carter Saylor (Chris) of Chapel Hill, N.C.; Taylor Carter of Grovetown, GA; William Robert Leroy Eskew of Athens, GA; John Thomas Lafayette Eskew of Milledgeville, GA; and Jillian Grace Eskew of New Orleans, LA; great-grandson Samuel Hudson Saylor of Chapel Hill, N.C.; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. Private interment in the family plot at Elmwood Cemetery. The family will receive visitors at Johns-Ridout's Mortuary-Elmwood Chapel from 9 to 11 am on Monday, June 12. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Birmingham Botanical Gardens, Robert L. and Martha Bonner Eskew Fund for the Care of Roses or to the Auburn University Foundation, Thomas Elliot Bonner Scholarship Fund.

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