Martha Falls Clark

Martha and I became friends in 1967 when we entered nursing school at Memorial Mission School of Nursing. We were roommates for three years. We didn’t get to see each other as often as we would have liked but when we were together it was as if we had never been apart. She was a wonderful lady who would have done anything in her power to help someone. I’ m sure she is singing around the throne and happy to see her Mom Dad and Pat! Love my friend!

Martha rode one of the school buses that I drove while we were in high school. Early on, she was a cute early teen girl on there with her sisters. As she got older, I became attracted to her and we started dating at the end of my last year in high school. I was 18, she was 16. Over the next few years, we became closer and closer and after she finished nursing school, we were married. We had great times and settled into our life together. She got more deeply involved in her cardiac nursing program and was appointed to a state agency for such. 6-1/2 years into our marriage, she was offered a temporary position at a specialized clinic in Charlotte. A lady was taking some time off for maternity leave. That lady decided to not come back and Martha decided to stay in Charlotte as she loved this job. That ended it for us. A heart rending proposition but I didn’t want to judge her – it was important to her. We did not see each other very often, after that, for some time. We remained friends. She later had some medical issues that forced her to give up her career. She was, from that time on, in much pain. I visited her a number of times over the years. It was hard to see her in pain. She suffered so much. She fought so hard to get better for me to take her on one last ride in a convertible. We did that a lot, when we were married. We spoke of making sure that we both had a right relationship to the Lord as time was short for all of us. It was hard to see her go but so much harder to see her in pain. She is resting in the arms of the Lord. You were loved.

I was fortunate enough to be blessed with the Caring, Inspiring and Loving Ms. Martha for many years and through multiple facets of life. From a very young age roaming the halls in after school of the “S” Clinic to the blessing of her presence during family gatherings. The impression Ms. Martha and my inspiring Mother left on me through their determination and hard work at the “S” Clinic will forever leave a mark on me and a sign of the Magic humans can achieve. In my youth I overheard of stories in which both were involved with the original Heart Transplant in Charlotte as well as the difference made in so many individuals lives. That individual went on to live a complete life from the care she provided during that groundbreaking procedure. That feat will forever be apart of my memories of the heavenly Ms. Martha. Later in life Ms. Martha became a full on member of our immediate family, spreading her love and generosity to “her boys” and “family” and blessing us with a beautiful soul at all gatherings. Martha will forever be missed and loved!

Wow! Just saw this and it saddened me so! Wish I could have attended the service out of respect! We started Swannanoa elementary and graduated together from Owen High School in 1967. She was absolutely one of the kindest, sweetest friends anyone could have! RIP Martha, you’re the type person that makes this a better world!