Martha Tiller

Martha Estelle Ivey Tiller, born November 6, 1926, to William Paul and Myrna Crowell Ivey (florists and owners of Albemarle Greenhouses) in Albemarle, NC, Martha went home to be with her Lord on Sunday, February 5, 2023, at the age of 96 surrounded by her family. She married Wendell Howard Tiller, MD, of Spartanburg, SC, on May 28, 1949. He preceded Martha in death on September 29, 2014.

Martha attended grades 1-11 in Albemarle and, upon graduation, attended Women’s College (later the University of North Carolina at Greensboro), completing her A.B. in Mathematics in 1947. She taught math at NC State University in Raleigh from 1947-1949 to the young men who had returned home from WWII. Martha met her future husband, Wendell, at the wedding of her sister, Betsy and C. Glenn Sawyer, MD, his classmate.

Wendell and Martha married in 1949 and moved several times from Spartanburg to Quantico, VA, to Boston, MA and back to Spartanburg. They quickly had five children within the space of six years. Linda Tiller McHam (Gary), W. Howard Tiller, deceased (Nancy), Barbara Tiller Barragan, deceased (Bruce), Frank Tiller (Mary Lewis) and Martha Tiller Foster (Dan).

Martha’s grandchildren and great-grandchildren were her greatest joy. These include: Maggie Barragan, Mollie Barragan, Ivey Foster, Elizabeth Triplett (Todd), Martin Tiller (Teal), Harrison Carnes (Will), Louise Cha (Jason), Sam Foster, Walker Tiller and great grandchildren: JoHannah, Collin, Rose, Grady, Micah, Lily, Vivian and George.

Martha was outgoing and a capable organizer. She managed her husband’s financial books for his medical practice, for the Women of the Church and numerous other groups. She was a member of First Presbyterian Church for the greater part of her life. She was also a member of The Thursday Study Club (past president), The Music Club of Spartanburg (past president, Career Member), Spartanburg County Medical Society Alliance, The Junior League of Spartanburg, the Spartanburg Girls’ Home (Board of Directors), and several other associations.

She was an avid gardener, a talented pianist, an expert seamstress, cook (known for her amazing cheese straws) and was devoted to her children, grandchildren and greatgrandchildren. Martha was in her element when she was surrounded by her family, children and their friends at Inlet Haven, a family home in Murrell’s Inlet, SC. She and Wendell enjoyed traveling in the USA and abroad.

There were few things that she could not do, as she was willing to make the effort to learn new skills that came her way. Although she was in her seventies when personal computers became available, she excelled at spreadsheets and documentation. Martha enjoyed keeping in touch with her grandchildren through Instagram on her iPhone until her passing at 96 years of age.

Martha will be remembered as a woman who put others before herself and as a dedicated follower of Christ. “Then her Lord said, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a few things. I will make you a ruler of many things. Enter into the joy of your Lord.’”

A Celebration of Life will be held at First Presbyterian Church, Spartanburg, on February 18, at 1:00 PM with a reception to follow.

Memorials in Martha’s memory may be made to Mobile Meals of Spartanburg, PO Box 461, Spartanburg, SC 29304; First Presbyterian Church, 393 E. Main Street, Spartanburg, SC 29302; Thornwell Children’s Home, 302 S. Broad Street, Clinton, SC 29326; or a charity of one’s choosing.

Floyd’s North Church Street Chapel