Dorothy Rutherford Martin, age 89, of Waynesboro, PA passed away May 8, 2024 at Quincy Village Colestock Center. Mrs. Martin was born February 6, 1935 in Centerville, PA. She was the daughter of the late William and Mary Rutherford. Mrs. Martin was preceded in death by her husband SFC (ret) George Forrest Martin who passed away on April 22, 1976. Mrs. Martin met her husband while working as a company clerk for the HC Frick Company in Maxwell, PA, they married on January 4, 1956. Mrs. Martin was preceded in death by six brothers and one sister: William, Harry, Charles, George, David, and Donald Rutherford and sister Mary Jane Schnoover; and her friend and companion Lee Calimer.
Mrs. Martin is survived by her five children and their spouses: son George and wife Jane of, Lenoir City, TN; daughter Terry Sherald and husband Robert of Waynesboro, PA; son Les and wife Nessie of Marina, CA; son Jeffrey and his wife Deena Swain of Williamsport, MD; son John and wife Pamela of Bethlehem Twp, PA; and nephew Douglas Lucas (whom she helped raise) and his wife Laura of Mt Alto, PA. In addition to her children, Mrs. Martin leaves behind 11 grandchildren and 25 great grandchildren (and #26 is on the way).
Mrs. Martin graduated from Brownsville High School in 1953. Following high school, she was employed as a company clerk at the HC Frick Company. Throughout her life she worked for several restaurants as a waitress. In 1970, she went to work for the Department of the Army as a civil service employee. Mrs. Martin worked in the Fort Ritchie Commissary from 1970-1976. In 1976 she became the supervisor of the US Army Civilian Payroll office at Fort Ritchie until her retirement in 1997. After her DOA career, Mrs. Martin worked for five years at the M&T Bank branch offices in Waynesboro and Chambersburg PA. Mrs. Martin moved to Quincy Village in 2012, she moved to Parker House Assisted Living in 2022, and the Colestock Center in March 2024
Mrs. Martin was an active member of Germantown Church of God where she attended since 1968 until her health began to decline in 2019. At Germantown COG, Mrs. Martin taught children’s Sunday school for many years, she assisted with many Vacation Bible Schools, worked as an assistant in children ministries (Space Invaders, KidsCan, and BBT), she served as church deaconess, and she was a member of the Mission Committee. She loved music and singing. She was a member of the church choir, the church quartet and performed duets with her daughter. She served as the Christian Education Director and as the church Treasurer for several years.
Mrs. Martin raised her five children single-handedly after her husband’s passing in 1976. She was a dedicated mother and grandmother. She was a tireless worker and a truly self-less person. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends. Mrs. Martin enjoyed baking, she was an exceptional baker and cook. Some of her family favorites were creamed chicken with homemade biscuits, delicious German chocolate cake from scratch, and all types of homemade pies. She loved singing, reading, playing board/card games, she enjoyed watching golf when Tiger Woods was on the circuit, and she loved watching the Baltimore Orioles. However, her greatest joy in life was spending time with her family and especially her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Services will be held at 2:00 P.M., Monday, May 13, 2024 in Germantown Church of God, 16924 Raven Rock Road, Cascade, MD with Pastor Steve Trostle officiating. Burial will follow in the adjacent Bethel Church Cemetery.
The family will receive friends one hour prior to the services, Monday afternoon, in the church.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations made be made to St Jude Children’s hospital at www.stjude.org or your favorite charity.
Grove-Bowersox Funeral Home, Waynesboro, is handling the arrangements.
