Martha Louise Thrash's Obituary
Martha Louise Thrash, forever known to us as “Auntie,” was born on December 31, 1933, in Newton, Mississippi to Roby D. Waldrop and Marie Mitchell Waldrop. She grew up in Newton, where she quickly became known for her confidence, curiosity and strong opinions. All three stayed with her throughout her life.
After high school, Martha met and fell in love with Charlie N. Thrash. They married and began a life shaped by Charlie’s service in the U.S. Army, which took them across the country. During those years, Martha’s love for her country and her passion for politics came alive. If you spent more than a few minutes with her, there was a good chance she would talk to you about the government whether you asked or not. She believed deeply in staying informed and voting. She lived out those values through volunteering at elections and supporting candidates she believed in. She liked to say that if she had gone to college, she would have become a political science professor. Anyone who knew her knew she already filled that role and as we’ve lovingly joked, she’s finally finding out what’s really going on.
Martha especially enjoyed fishing alongside Charlie and cherished time spent by the water. After he passed away in 1987, Martha showed a quiet strength and independence that impressed everyone who knew her. Having learned so much from him, she became incredibly capable on her own. She could fix just about anything, believed in being prepared and had a knack for figuring things out when plans didn’t go as expected.
Above all, Martha loved her family deeply and was immensely proud of each of them. She treasured time together and documented it through countless photographs. We might have cringed at some of the photos she shared, but Martha didn’t care one bit. What mattered to her was that we were all there together.
Our Auntie was a beautiful soul and her undeniable strength, humor, opinions and love will be deeply missed. While our hearts grieve her absence, we find comfort in knowing she is now in her forever home, reunited with those she loved who went before her. Her legacy of love, independence and devotion to her family will continue to live on through all of us.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Charlie N. Thrash; her parents, Roby D. Waldrop and Marie Mitchell Waldrop; her sister and brother-in-law, Gary and Faye Bardwell; sister Betty Marie Waldrop; and treasured family members Jason Vickers and Travis Sheridan.
Left to cherish her memories are her nieces: Lynn (Clay) Powell, Sheila (Kevin) Blasingame, and Sherry Vickers Sheridan; five great-nieces and one great-nephew: Julia (Chase) Stephenson, Jennifer (Jay) Hipp, Josh (Jessica) Vickers, Ashley (Dillon) McClendon, Christin (Trevis) Vaughan, Kasey Vickers and Lee Gillispie; as well as several great-great-nieces and nephews: Garrett and Emersyn Stephenson, Crawford and Hallie Hipp, Taken, Enlen, and Chasen Vickers, River and Ryder McClendon, and Kohen Vickers.
We want to extend heartfelt thanks to the friends who loved Martha like family and cared for her so generously: Ben and Kim Baker, Amber Raulston, Anthony and Leticia White, Cynthia and David Freeman, as well as Hospice of East Texas for their compassionate care.
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