Remembering Martha Warren

1937 - 2023

Tom and I first met Martha Warren when she and her husband Herb joined our Sunday School class. Soon after, they joined the volunteer team of Docents at the Old School History Museum. They were dedicated museum workers…always there rain or shine…giving tours and volunteering where needed. They would become dear and treasured friends.

They had both retired, Martha as a Medical Technologist and Herb from management at the World Congress Center in Atlanta. They were now living their dream in a log house on Lake Sinclair. Over the years, members of the OSHM team spent many good times together – often at the Warrens’ lake house.

Martha was an amazing woman…I always admired her courage and determination. I never heard her complain. I remember the evening she told us about having polio as a child and the many trips and many weeks she spent in Warm Springs, GA. She described swimming and having therapy in the waters believed to have healing properties for paralysis and other muscle problems, the same waters President Franklin D. Roosevelt frequented in the 1940’s.

After moving to Lake Sinclair, Martha and Herb spent a lot of time in a “different” kind of water. Rather than therapy, Martha was now the daredevil on jet skis!

Travel was her favorite thing. All Herb had to do was crank up their truck and attach the 5th Wheel, and Martha was ready to go. They drove all over the USA, visiting every state. One year, they spent four months in Alaska, driving to the uppermost region. They could give travel advice about the entire country!

I have often thought that Eatonton did not need AAA because we had Martha! She kept photo books and copious notes on every place they visited and would gladly give travel advice and share details.

They also made many friends through their travels. When they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary, a number of their travel buddies came a long distance to Eatonton for the anniversary party.

Cooking was another of her talents…her banana nut bread and jalapeno cornbread were always favorites at potluck suppers.

Martha was also one of the most beautifully groomed women I have ever known…she always looked pretty…not a hair out of place…very put together! But if you asked her how she did it, she would just shrug it off!

Not only did the Warrens volunteer at the Old School History Museum, they also served on the Putnam General Hospital Auxiliary for more than a decade, delivering mail, visiting patients, and assisting where needed.

Martha Warren was devoted to Herb and her family. She loved talking about her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and showing photos! She was my dear friend, and I will miss her. We are all richer for having known her.

contributed by:

Sandra Rosseter, Director

Old School History Museum