Martha Dodge

Born in Toledo, OH on March 14, 1929 Departed on September 22, 2017 and resided in Hendersonville, TN Visitation: Crestview Funeral Home Room: Stateroom AThursday September 28, 2017 12:00pm to 1:00pmLife Celebration: Crestview Funeral Home Room: ChapelThursday September 28, 2017 1:00pm to 2:00pm

Martha Marie Allen Dodge--the choirs of Heaven have gained a new Soprano with the passing of our sweet mom.She was 88. Martha was born March 14 1929 in Toledo Ohio to Bartle James Allen Jr and Martha Marie Dunlap Allen.

When she was 6, her family moved to Miami Florida. She graduated from Ponce De Leon high school class of 47'. After that she attended Florida State University where she studied art. She met her sweetheart, Robert W. Dodge at church, where he was attending with a friend, Easter Sunday when he saw her singing in the choir. He walked her home and asked for a date. October 1st 1950 they were married at historic Plymouth Congregational church in Coconut Grove. She and Bob raised 4 children. A job opportunity for Bob with the Kansas City overhaul base of Trans World Airlines had the family move up to Liberty, Missouri area in 1967. In 1994 Martha and Bob moved to Hendersonvillle TN to escape the cold winters in Missouri and be closer to their daughter Jennifer. Martha loved nature in all its forms whether it was a cardinal at the bird feeder or a sea otter in Puget sound or flowers, trees ,beaches or a sunset. She passed that love on to her children. She had a green thumb and grew many types of flowers and vegetables in her lovely gardens. Martha was a great cook and her family has fond memories of the delicious meals she made. During her lifetime she worked as a sales clerk for Burdine's dept. stores of Miami and Macy's in Kansas City.Traveling the world with her family was another thing she enjoyed. She has been to Japan, Australia Greece, Ireland, New Zealand, France, Spain,most of the USA but her favorite place was traveling all over Britain. Other hobbies include music, reading, watercolors,sewing and collecting antiques. She had an inquiring mind,a great sense of humor and loved learning new things. Martha had a attitude of gratitude. Even days before her passing she was still saying Thank You. She taught us to look on the bright side and count our blessings . She believed it was useless to dwell on past mistakes or negative things but to move forward and try to do better. Martha also had a strong faith in God and served her church in the choir and teaching children's sunday school classes. Her family was her greatest joy.

Preceded in death by her parents, husband Bob and infant daughter Margery.

She leaves behind brothers -Scott Allen of Interlachen Fla. and Bart Allen (Sandra) of Miami Fla. Daughters- Marion Bellows (Jeff) of Oklahoma city Ok, Susan Higgins (Doug) of Platte City Mo., Jennifer Poole (Mark) of Hendersonville Tn., and son Robert Dodge Jr.(Tamra) of Cottage Grove,Mn.Grandchildren- Sarah Bellows, Rachel Bellows, Jeffrey Bellows (Tiffany) , Meredith Nehring (Seth), Hannah Pruett (Jake), Tim Andrews (Lanie), William Higgins, Katie Booher (Russell), Matthew Poole, and Laura Townsend (Dan). Great grandchildren- Benjamin and James Bellows, Asher and Amalie Nehring, Jack Pruett and baby boy Andrews due in February 2018. And her nephews -Richard and Robert Allen. Funeral services to be held at Crestview of Gallatin on September 28, 2017 at 1:00 pm with visitation at 12 noon until start of service. Burial at Crestview cemetery Highway 109 North, Gallatin TN. Service conducted by Bishop Richard St.Onge of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

The family wishes to express their deep gratitude and appreciation to all the staff at Hickory Hills Alzheimer's Special Care Center of Hendersonville for the wonderful care and compassion they showed to Martha over the past 7 months. Also, special thanks go to her care team at Alive Hospice of Nashville for their 4 yrs. of attentive service. Those wishing to make a memorial in her name can donate to MusicandMemory.org or the Alzheimer's Association at Alz.org