Martha Whitley, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, educator, and friend, died peacefully on August 23, 2026, at the age of 84. Born December 3,1941 in Gallipolis, Ohio, to Mary and Leo Mossman, Martha spent a remarkable 60 years touching the lives of others through her work as an educator.

Martha was married to Richard Whitley of Houston, Texas and they recently celebrated their 41st wedding anniversary. She was the devoted mother of Paul MacKenzie (Dana) of Columbus, Ohio, and Kate MacKenzie Barton (Frank) of Columbus, Ohio. She was also a loving stepmother to Kirsten Whitley of Annapolis, Maryland; Richard Whitley of Chicago, Illinois; Matthew Whitley of Livermore, California; and Aubin Whitley of Livermore, California. She is survived by her sister, Gretchen Mills of Canal Winchester.

Perhaps nothing meant more to Martha than her four granddaughters—Elizabeth MacKenzie, Olivia Barton, Eleanor Barton, and Elettra Whitley. Every day, she wore a necklace with an angel charm for each granddaughter, a reminder of the special bond and love they shared. She treasured each of them and delighted in every opportunity to spend time together. Many summers were spent at “Camp Mimi and Pop-Pop,” creating the kind of wonderful memories that would last a lifetime. There were adventures exploring ranches in Texas and getting matching pink cowboy boots; searching for shells along the Carolina coast and listening to ghost stories in Charleston; and, when Lizzie and Livvie were little, a trip to the Big Apple to watch the Rockettes glide across the stage.

But perhaps her most cherished place was by the lake in Michigan, surrounded by her family. She loved sitting by the campfire, roasting marshmallows, and listening as the lake grew quiet at the end of the day. Most mornings, you could find Mimi with a cup of coffee by the window, reading her newspaper or watching the news, with the lake spread out before her. She loved checking in on the shops in Glen Arbor and taking trips to the nearby beach towns, soaking in one of her favorite places. But most of all, she loved watching all of her grandchildren dance at Boonedocks before heading out together for ice cream.

Martha was a lifelong educator whose career spanned approximately 60 years. After graduating from Gallia Academy High School, she attended Agnes Scott College and The Ohio State University. She later earned a Master of Counseling from the University of Dayton. She began her career as a high school English teacher and eventually devoted several decades to teaching, counseling, and advocating for students at Lone Star College in Houston, Texas as Director of Student Success Initiatives before her retirement.

Martha’s impact as an educator reached far beyond the classroom. She had a genuine gift for connecting with people, encouraging students, and helping others recognize their own potential. Throughout her six decades in education, she touched countless lives and remained committed to making a difference in the lives of young people. She was actively teaching until only recently and remained deeply involved in the Houston charitable community, particularly in efforts to provide scholarships and educational opportunities to young people from underserved backgrounds. As president of the Houston Assistance League, she made meaningful friendships and connections with people around her. She especially loved visiting classrooms to read to children and distribute books.

Outside of her work, Martha had a zest for life and a wide range of interests. She loved to travel, with special affection for summers spent in northern Michigan. She loved to be by the water, surrounded by family and loved ones. She was an avid reader, especially of mysteries, and had a lifelong fascination with all things British. She had a love for animals, in particular, cats who often clung to her newspapers and ankles. She and Dick were members of the Petroleum Club in Houston and cherished their friends and memories made there. She was a proud Ohio State football fan and never forgot her gameday buckeye necklace, proudly representing her love for the university and her home state.

Martha will be remembered for her intelligence, generosity, curiosity, humor, and unwavering commitment to others. But most of all, she will be remembered as a woman who gave so much of herself to her family, her students, and her community. The lives she influenced over six decades of teaching and service are a lasting testament to the difference she made.

She will be deeply missed by her family, friends, her former students and colleagues, and the countless people whose lives she touched. A memorial service in Gallipolis will be scheduled at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Houston SPCA7007 Old Katy Road Houston, TX 77024. 

An online guest registry is available at waugh-halley-wood.com