Martha Burtz

Martha Burtz, age 98, of Gainesville, GA, passed away peacefully at her home on November, 24th.  Martha would have turned 99 in March.

Martha Burtz was born on March 14, 1923 to Bessie and Chester Beacham in Madison County, GA.  After graduating from Colbert High School, Martha attended the University of Georgia, where she received her masters degree in Special Education.  She became a pioneer in the field of Learning Disabilities and was one of the first special education teachers in Gainesville City Schools, retiring in 1989.

Martha met Ollie Burtz at a bus stop on the University of Georgia Campus in September of 1946 when he offered to share his umbrella in a pouring rain.  They married three months later and had two children, Marty and Jeannie.

Martha is survived by her daughters, Marty (Randy) Hale and Jeannie (Jerry) Penland; her four grandchildren Lara Otey, Zack Otey, Will Penland, and Amy Damera, and by eight great-grandchildren, Emma, McKenna, Ephram, Raegan, Harper, Rhett, Riley and Cora.

Funeral services are scheduled for Monday November 29, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Memorial Park Funeral Home with interment to follow in Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Monday November 29, 2021 from 12-2 p.m. at the funeral home.

Memorial Park Funeral Home, 2030 Memorial Park Road, Gainesville, GA  30504 is in charge of arrangements.

Send online condolences to www.memorialparkfuneralhomes.com.