Suffolk - Martha Ann Abendroth Smith, 79, passed away peacefully in her sleep September 13, 2017. She was born in Wallis, TX. Martha was predeceased by her parents Mr. and Mrs. Bert Randolph Abendroth. She was a retired Special Education Teacher with Portsmouth Public Schools. Martha was a member of Green Acres Presbyterian Church. Martha is survived by her husband of 58 years, Homer Alvin Smith, Jr.; daughter, Melinda Anne Smith (Mark Duntley); son, Matthew Brian Smith; grandchildren, Sophia Smith Eckel (Austin), Leila Ann Duntley; and sister, Frances Mary Abendroth. Martha grew up in a rural area southeast of Houston, TX, and was initially educated in a two-room schoolhouse. Later she endured long bus rides to attend upper grades and complete high school in Richmond, TX. As a college student in Ft. Worth in 1957, she met her husband-to-be, Homer, just as he returned upon release from naval service to the church of his boyhood. Two years later they were married and began studies together at Oklahoma State University. In 1961 Martha received her Bachelor's Degree three months before Homer completed his doctoral studies. The marriage soon produced two children, Melinda and Matthew, and Martha's main effort was directed to their nurture. She still found time for church, schoolwork and service as a volunteer costumer for college theatre groups. Later when Homer's research program took the family to Indiana University for an extended stay, Martha used the occasion to accomplish a Master's Degree in Special Education. Upon return to VA, she established the first pre-school special education program in Buckingham County. For 20 years at the end of her teaching career, Martha taught pre-school handicapped students in the Portsmouth Public Schools. A prolific grant proposal writer, she received numerous "mini-grants" for instructional improvement. She was named Portsmouth Elementary School Teacher of the Year in 2001. She served many years on the Portsmouth Mayor's Commission on Persons with Disabilities. In every school in which she taught, Martha became the informal mentor of aides and other teachers, always encouraging them toward higher educational attainment. An opera enthusiast, Martha joined Homer in visits to operas at most of the great opera houses of Europe and the U.S. She co-sponsored singers at Virginia Opera. She was active in her church all her life. After retirement she became a master quilter, and her prolific output benefitted charities, friends, and even second cousins. The legacy of this remarkable woman does not result solely from 58 years of devoted marriage with the admirable children and grandchildren that resulted. It also resides in the dozens of vulnerable, deprived, difficult handicapped young children on whom she used her marvelous classroom skills to give them a chance in life. A celebration of life service and reception will be held September 30, 2017 at 11:00 am with Rev. Libby Rollins officiating at Green Acres Presbyterian Church. An inurnment at Albert G. Horton, Jr., Memorial Veterans Cemetery will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to Green Acres Presbyterian Church, 3135 Hanley Ave., Portsmouth, VA 23703. Condolences may be registered online at www.parrfuneralhome.com.
Published in The Virginian Pilot on Sept. 15, 2017