Martha Sugg Pahl passed away peacefully on April 1, 2024. Martha was born on April 19, 1945 in High Point, North Carolina to James Donald Sugg and Ramie Eleanor Smith. Martha was the youngest of three sisters. Martha's father was a grocer and ran Fairfield Grocery in High Point, and her mother worked at the hosiery mill while raising Martha and her sisters, Barbara and Henrietta.
Martha attended Peace College, where she gained a large circle of lifelong friends. Her senior year, she gained accolades for her supporting role performance in Picnic. She graduated in 1965 with an Associates Degree. She later achieved her Radiology Tech Certificate from Duke in 1967.
In 1964, Martha was set up on a blind date by dear friends; Maybe it was the red wool dress she wore that her sister sewed for her, but her blind date with William (Billy) Pahl, Jr. quickly turned into a romance and they married on August 5, 1967 at Duke Chapel. Billy fondly remembers their honeymoon roadtrip to Sea Island, GA in a 1967 Pontiac Bonneville he borrowed from his new brother-in-law because it had A/C and they stopped for "chicken in a basket" on the way.
With her Radiology degree, Martha went to work for Dr. Zaytoun, Sr. in his orthodontics practice. Later, she attended Hardbarger Business School in Raleigh and then helped Billy run the Pahl family painting and contracting business until 1998. Martha worked as an Executive Secretary at North Carolina Joint Underwriters Association (NCJUA) until her retirement in 2017.
Martha was very involved in her community as a member of the local Quota Club in the 80s and 90s. She treasured her time singing Soprano in the choir at Saint Michael's Episcopal Church for many years. She volunteered in the church Canterbury Shop, where her favorite task was wrapping gifts that the children had picked for their parents at Christmas. After her retirement, she answered the phones at St. Michael's several days a week. Her church family became irreplaceable friends that she treasured dearly.
Martha was a great cook, except for that one lentil soup incident! She would often try new recipes, making notes on recipe cards saying "terrible, don't try again!" or "keeper!", which will be treasured. She loved to host dinner parties and her "Bridge Club." She had an elegant eye for interior design. Martha was a role model for her two daughters, as a working mother, yet preparing and sharing family meals together, while supporting her daughter's extracurricular activities on the soccer fields with Anna and piano and harp lessons for Sara. She doted on her nieces, nephews, daughters and their friends. She always reminded them to "Be smart!"
She and Billy were excellent Shag dance partners, often admired on the dance floor at countless weddings. They enjoyed NC State football games and hosted large tailgating parties with family and friends. They were avid boaters and skiers for many years at Lake Gaston. Martha especially loved a leisurely pontoon boat ride with a picnic lunch out on the water.
Martha and Billy lived a full and exciting life together and embodying the love, humor, hardships and triumphs of a devoted 57 year marriage.
Martha is survived by her loving husband, Billy Pahl; her daughters Anna (Paul) Barham of Bunn, NC and Sara (Frank) Shingleton, She was the most adored Nana to her three grandchildren, Benton, Barrett and Ramie. She will be missed by her sisters, Barbara (Tom) Barnett of Raleigh, NC and Henrietta Croker (Sid VanMatre) of Archdale, NC and many beloved in-laws, cousins, nieces and nephews.
Martha's celebration of life will be on Monday, April 8th, 2024 at Saint Michael's Episcopal Church, 1520 Canterbury Road in Raleigh, NC at 2pm, followed by a reception in the Parish Hall. The family will have a private burial.
Martha requested any memorial gifts be given to Saint Michael's Episcopal Church. (https://www.holymichael.org/memorial-giving)
Service provided by Brown-Wynne, 300 Saint Mary's Street, Raleigh.
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