Martha L. (Evans) Webster

Funeral services for Martha Laurel Evans Webster of Madison will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, February 10 in the Memorial Chapel at the First Church Congregational, 22 Liberty St., Painesville.  Mrs. Webster, who celebrated her 103rd birthday, on January 12 of this year, passed away on Friday, February 2.

Known to her many friends and family members as “Bart”, she was born in Grand River in 1915 and graduated from Harvey High School in Painesville.  Her parents, George and Martha (Gebeau) Evans, were the owners of Evans Lunch in Grand River.

She married Philip H. Webster on September 12, 1936, and the couple had four children:  Marla (Dennis) Major, Laurel Webster, Janice (Robert) Martin and James (Cynthia) Webster.  They survive along with grandchildren, Elisabeth Major, Melissa (Douglas Scott) Major, Joel (Debra) Major, Nathan Martin, Joshua (Kelly) Martin, Laurel (Jeff Smith) Martin, Rachel Webster, and Douglas (Lindsey) Webster; ten great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren.  She is also survived by siblings, Verna Crofoot and Nancy Ruck, and in-laws, Mark Webster, Lois (Denton) Albright, and Louise Hall, and many special nieces and nephews.

Martha was preceded in death by her husband, Philip; her parents, and siblings Charles Evans, Ida Heinbaugh, Mildred Gardner, George Evans, Melvin Evans, Helen Morton, and Robert Evans.

While raising her family on Riverside Drive in Painesville, Martha enjoyed gardening, sewing, knitting, making braided rugs, and processing produce from her garden.  She shared her plants with many fledgling gardeners and used her skills to sew wedding gowns, prom dresses, costumes for school plays and cowboy outfits.  She was active in the PTA for many years and was a 4-H advisor.  Known to her extensive family as an excellent cook and hostess, she frequently entertained with backyard picnics and baby showers.

Starting in 1964 Martha and Philip enjoyed yearly trips to Florida for the sunshine, golf and many new friends they made there.  After retirement they spent the winter months in their Florida home.

Family and friends may call from 5 to 8 PM, Friday, February 9 at Spear Mulqueeny Funeral Home, 667 Mentor Avenue, Painesville.  Burial will be private in Evergreen Cemetery in Painesville.

The family wishes to thank the caregivers of the Lantern of Madison and Hospice of the Western Reserve for their loving kindness in caring for Mom.

The family suggest contributions to First Church Congregational Scholarship Fund and Hospice of the Western Reserve.

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