Martha Lee Ernst

Martha Lee Ernst, age 90, died on Tuesday, February 20, 2018 in the loving presence of family at her granddaughter’s home in Marietta, Georgia. From her birth in Avon Park, Florida on March 23, 1927 to her death on Tuesday, she nourished the people around her with an abundance of love, faith in the Lord our Savior, her artistic talents, fun personality, and beautiful smile.

She was raised on a farm by Raymond and Mary (Grice) Shaw and she had two brothers and four sisters. She graduated from Wauchula High School on December 20, 1944. After graduating high school, she attended Massey Business College in Jacksonville, Florida. She worked at the U.S. Naval Air Station at Cecil Field, Florida and finished her working years with a law firm in downtown Tampa.

Martha met Bob Ernst and they were married in Tampa, Florida. Martha and Bob were members of Faith Baptist Church in Brandon, Florida where Martha sang in the choir and Bob served for many years as the Treasurer. Martha and Bob each had three children at the time of their marriage and they both loved one another’s children as their own.

Martha was preceded in death by her parents, Raymond and Mary Shaw; her husband, Robert F. Ernst; her two daughters, Sharon Lee Forrest and Deborah Ann Heldreth; and her grandson, Robert Reynolds.

Martha is survived by her sister, Mary Ellen Valla; her son, Wade Troy Reynolds, Jr.; her step-children: Judi Allen Ernst, Barbara Jo Ernst and Kenneth Lee Ernst; eight grandchildren: Michael (Tonya) Reynolds, John (Tina) Reynolds, David Forrest, Andrea (Michael) Martin, Shannon (Quana) Forrest, Christian Forrest, Nicole (Evan) Rogers, Natalie (Josh) Rice; and eighteen great-grandchildren: Abigail, Alexandra, Christopher, Matthew, Donovan, Travis, Danielle, Britney, Brooke, Alexandrea, Christopher, Ethan, Isaiah, Avery, Emmaline, Chloe, Emma and Alexandria; and great great grandchildren, nieces, nephews and other family members who loved her dearly.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, February 26, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at Hillsboro Memorial, 2323 West Brandon Boulevard, Brandon, Florida. Burial and graveside service will immediately follow. The family will greet friends beginning at 10:00 a.m. on Monday until the time of service and will host a reception immediately after the graveside service.