Martha Sandidge Heath

Martha attended grammar school in Bryson City until her parents moved to Miami, Florida in the spring of 1935. She graduated from Miami Edison Senior High School in 1944 where she was a member of the Glee club, Library club and the National Thespian Society. She also attended Walsh School of Business Science.

In 1947 she married the love of her life, Ralph C. Heath of Lenoir County, N.C. They met in Miami while Ralph was serving in the U.S. Navy and married in Miami soon after World War II. After Ralph’s graduation from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, in 1948, they lived in Tallahassee, Florida and Albany, New York before moving to Raleigh in 1967.

Martha was a lifelong learner, taking many continuing education courses in history, English, and geography at Meredith College. Some of her interests were interior decorating, reading and swimming. Martha and Ralph loved to travel and enjoyed cruises, visiting such varied locations as Tahiti, Hawaii, Turkey, Greece, Morocco, and Egypt to view historic sights.

She is survived by her husband Ralph and son William Curt Heath of Raleigh; daughter Susan Ann Heath Johnson and her husband Frankford Milam Johnson II of Chapel Hill; and four grandchildren, Sarah Heath Johnson, Matthew Frankford Johnson, David Michael Johnson, and Samuel Jonathan Johnson, all of Chapel Hill, N. C.

The family will receive friends and family on Friday, January 11 from 2:00-3:00 pm at Mitchell Funeral Home, 7209 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh, followed by the funeral service at 3:00 pm. Private entombment at Raleigh Memorial Park Mausoleum.

The family wishes to express their sincere gratitude to the many caring health professionals at Rex Hospital and Hospice of Wake County. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Hospice of Wake County, 250 Hospice Circle, Raleigh, NC 27607. Condolences and fond memories can be shared at www.MitchellatRMP.com.