Martha Moffit Holbrook Wonnell

Martha Holbrook Wonnell was born in High Point, September 24, 1944, during the height of World War II, to Martha Moffitt Holbrook and Carter Tate Holbrook, Jr. First Lieutenant Holbrook was on active duty with the 79th Infantry Division in Lunville, France when he got a radio message of Marty’s birth, prompting a rushed 50-mile motorcycle ride to behold the telegram announcing her birth with his own eyes.

She passed away on October 2, 2017. A service to celebrate her life will be at 10 AM, Tuesday, October 24 at First Presbyterian Church with Reverend Dolly Jacobs officiating. The family will receive friends during a reception in the Virginia Gilmer room following the service.

Marty was a special girl, always believing the power of flight was hers, as she remembers vividly flying up and down the hallway in her High Point home. This creativity and optimism would see her through her illnesses and help foster her artistic talents. Her determination allowed her to conquer the piano, her wit propelled her through life, and her love of art created a small business that sustained many lifelong friendships, and clothed and educated her children.

Marty’s first brain surgery was in 1951 at Duke University Medical Center. She recovered well enough to torment her younger brothers, Tate and George, and have the typical teen experience at High Point Central High School. Marty followed in her father’s footsteps to the College of William and Mary where she studied education. After graduation she taught elementary school in Virginia Beach, Wilmington and High Point. She married John Richard Wonnell in 1968 and had two daughters, Betsy and Katherine.

Marty continued to study and pursue art: painting, sewing, calligraphy, miniatures which were all present in The Bakery, her dough ornament business. Her ornaments grace Christmas trees near and far and brought great joy and levity to family, friends, and strangers. Marty’s creativity was boundless and she was extremely generous in sharing it. She especially enjoyed helping children through art at programs such as Head Start, Project Uplift, and Camp Rainbow at Camp Don Lee.

Marty’s progressive dementia was challenging but did not keep her from enjoying the people around her and the food that sustained her! Her friends and family took comfort in her smiles, giggles, quick wit, and special sense of humor; all which saw her through to the end. The family is so thankful for her dear caregivers: Pauline Williamson, Charlene Graves, the staffs at the Oaks at Mayview and Transitions LifeCare. Memorial gifts can be made to Guilford Child Development in Greensboro and Transitions LifeCare in Wake County. Marty is survived by her brothers Tate and George Holbrook and their families and her two daughters, Betsy Brown and husband Doug of Raleigh, Katherine Dennett and her husband Elliott of Emerald Isle, grandchildren Miller and Holden Brown, and Augustus and Ozro Dennett.

Online condolences may be offered at www.haneslineberryfuneralhomes.com. Hanes-Lineberry N. Elm chapel is assisting the family.