Martha Bass Pickard

Martha Anne Bass Pickard, a long time resident of East Point, Georgia, died October 14, 2011 after a brief illness. She was 89 years old. She is survived by her children Cathy Adams of Danville, California, Bill Pickard of Hernando, Mississippi and Cindy Pickard of Woodstock, Georgia, her daughter-in-law, Marty Pickard, her grandchildren, Brent, Lauren and Cameron Clark, Melody Rose Bills and Morgan Venable. She has two great grandchildren, Angel Bills and Dean Hill. She is predeceased by her husband Ralph Pickard, whom she married in 1948.

Martha was born in Nunez, Georgia in 1922 but her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Elmo James Bass, moved to East Point early in her life. She graduated from Russell High School and later from the University of Georgia with a double major in French and English. She was a member of Alpha Gamma Delta Sorority. During World War II she worked as an air traffic controller at Hartsfield Airport in Atlanta. She also worked as a school teacher, music teacher and retired from employment with Fulton County in 1987. Martha was an accomplished pianist and kept a baby grand piano in her house for most of her life. She and Ralph both loved music and insisted that their children all learn to play a musical instrument. She was a fan of the Atlanta Braves and followed their games on radio and TV. She knew the starting players and the pitchers. You could call Mom if you wanted to know what time and channel the Braves would be on. She also enjoyed traveling and after her retirement visited Russia, England and Alaska. With her great friend Al Koman, she visited the Grand Canyon many times. Martha enjoyed bridge and played for years. She was a long time member of First United Methodist Church in East Point and more lately Hillside United Methodist Church in Woodstock, Georgia.

Arrangements under the direction of Woodstock Funeral Home, Woodstock, GA.