Martha Jane Marsh

Born on March 6, 1932, in Louisville, Kentucky, Marty Marsh peacefully passed from this world on April 23, 2023.  Marty graduated from Central High School in 1950, and later received a BS degree from the University of Tennessee.  After working for several years as the Director of Volunteer Services at Lakeshore Mental Health Hospital, she moved to Colorado with her husband where she received a Masters Degree in Social Work from the University of Denver in 1983 at the age of 51 and worked at the Veteranś Hospital in Denver.  Upon returning to Knoxville, she became Director of Social Work Services at St. Mary's Hospital, then later Director of Social Work Services for Amedysis Home Health Care for nearly twelve years before finally retiring.  Among her many social and civic activities was her lifelong love of the Girl Scouts of America.  She was a lifelong member of the Girl Scouts USA, joining at the age of 10 as an intermediate in a troop led by her mother, Eloise Frisbie.  She attended the old Camp Margaret Townsend in the Smoky Mountains at age eleven through sixteen.  From age sixteen through nineteen she was a counselor at the camp.  When she was twelve, she set out with her father and mother to hike eighty miles on the Appalachian Trail.  This hike sparked the love of nature that continued throughout her life.  She instilled a love of nature and all its beauty in her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Up until her late eighties she continued to stay active in the Girl Scouts, working as a volunteer at the Daisy Place Museum in Knoxville.  During her initial college days at the University of Tennessee, she was a cheerleader for two years and a member of the Phi Mu Sorority.  She was a member of the National Society of Social Workers and the Tennessee Society of Health Care Social Workers, of which she was president two times.  In 1995, she received the Social Worker of the Year Award, and a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2011.  She was a member of the Advisory Council of the Senior Companion Program through the office on aging, and president of the council for three years.  Possessing a wonderful singing voice, Marty studied voice for several years with Mrs. Lelia Leslie, and later was a member of the first board of the Knoxville Opera Guild.  She was a founding member of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, serving both as a deacon and then elder.  She was the sole choir member in its formative years being accompanied by her dear friend, Nancy Dean.  She was a member and soloist for several years in the Chancel Choir there.  Marty also loved acting and was a founding member of the Westminster Players where she undertook several leading roles in plays and musicals. 

Marty passed away peacefully surrounded by her family with whom she loved so dearly. Marty was the daughter of the late John and Eloise Frisbie.  She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Frank H Marsh Jr two days prior, her oldest daughter Catharine (Cathy) Walters Marsh, and her oldest son Frank (Hank) Henry Marsh III.  She is survived by her treasured daughter and son Teresa (Tom) Shamblin, John (Jayne) Marsh, and daughter Mollie (Seth) Marsh-Heine.  She is also survived by her beloved grandchildren Jessica (Kevin) Winslett, Martha Cate (Eric) Grover, Jacob (Aimee) Shamblin, Catie-Beth Marsh, David Marsh, Matthew Marsh, Daniel Fager, and Ruthie Fager.  In addition she is survived by her precious great-grandchildren Charley Jane Spencer, Avery Spencer, Luke Spencer, Kayden Shamblin, Liam Shamblin, and Aniston Shamblin.

Her family and friends and loving Westminster church family will feel her absence for many days to come, however the memories she has left us with will be cherished always. She was the life of the party, the kindest of souls, and the best Moremomma ever. 

A private family service will be held at Westminster Presbyterian Church Columbarium.

"For you shall go out in joy, and be led forth in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall break forth into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands." (Isaiah 55:12)

The family would like to extend a very gracious thank-you to everyone at University of Tennessee Hospice for their care, concern, and support. Chandra Garland and Angel Levan, you both were amazing! Your loving support helped all of us and you are such a credit to your profession.