1921
Mrs.
2010
Mrs. Martha Whorton
March 4, 1921 — May 2, 2010
Martha Whorton, 89, of Prairie Village, passed away May 2, 2010 at the Shawnee Mission Medical Center following a sudden stroke.
She is survived by her husband Arthur; daughters Carol Roberts and Cathy Marschel; niece Ann Fairhurst Colston, her husband Greg and their children Jessica and Kevin; nephew Tom Fairhurst; grandson David Roberts; granddaughter Meredith Branch and husband Lane; and three great-grandchildren.
She was born March 4, 1921, to Margaret and Tom Fairhurst of Platte City, MO. After her father’s early death, Martha, her brother Don and their mother moved to Kansas City where Martha graduated from Westport High School. While attending William Woods College in Fulton, MO, she met her future husband, Art Whorton, a student at Westminster College there. In 1939 Martha was selected by a national juror as Westminster’s Junior Prom Beauty Queen.
Martha completed her education at Kansas University and worked for IBM for two years. She and Art married Feb. 19, 1944 and after rearing her children, Martha became a teacher, first at Marsha Bagby School in Johnson County, and then at Sunset Hill of Kansas City.
Martha was involved in many activities. She chaired several committees and sang with her husband in the choir at Country Club United Methodist Church. She was on the board of the YWCA for six years and became chairperson of the Trustees. She enjoyed mentoring at Bryant Elementary School and received a certificate award for her efforts. She was also active in PEO, serving in several offices and as president of the AV chapter.
Art and Martha traveled around the world but especially enjoyed visiting their daughters and their families in North Carolina, California, Washington D.C. and Oregon. When at home, Martha enjoyed a special mother-daughter relationship with her niece Ann, who with her brother Tom played a vital part in family life. Martha’s enthusiasm and joy for life was always centered around her family, friends and church. She loved to entertain, host parties and assist new residents in making friends and getting involved in the community.
Memorial services will be Friday, May 7 at 2:00 p.m. at County Club United Methodist Church, 57th and Wornall Road in Kansas City. A reception will follow in the church library. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Martha’s name to the Country Club United Methodist Church Memorial fund.
Fond memories and condolences for the family may be left at www.johnsoncountychapel.com
She is survived by her husband Arthur; daughters Carol Roberts and Cathy Marschel; niece Ann Fairhurst Colston, her husband Greg and their children Jessica and Kevin; nephew Tom Fairhurst; grandson David Roberts; granddaughter Meredith Branch and husband Lane; and three great-grandchildren.
She was born March 4, 1921, to Margaret and Tom Fairhurst of Platte City, MO. After her father’s early death, Martha, her brother Don and their mother moved to Kansas City where Martha graduated from Westport High School. While attending William Woods College in Fulton, MO, she met her future husband, Art Whorton, a student at Westminster College there. In 1939 Martha was selected by a national juror as Westminster’s Junior Prom Beauty Queen.
Martha completed her education at Kansas University and worked for IBM for two years. She and Art married Feb. 19, 1944 and after rearing her children, Martha became a teacher, first at Marsha Bagby School in Johnson County, and then at Sunset Hill of Kansas City.
Martha was involved in many activities. She chaired several committees and sang with her husband in the choir at Country Club United Methodist Church. She was on the board of the YWCA for six years and became chairperson of the Trustees. She enjoyed mentoring at Bryant Elementary School and received a certificate award for her efforts. She was also active in PEO, serving in several offices and as president of the AV chapter.
Art and Martha traveled around the world but especially enjoyed visiting their daughters and their families in North Carolina, California, Washington D.C. and Oregon. When at home, Martha enjoyed a special mother-daughter relationship with her niece Ann, who with her brother Tom played a vital part in family life. Martha’s enthusiasm and joy for life was always centered around her family, friends and church. She loved to entertain, host parties and assist new residents in making friends and getting involved in the community.
Memorial services will be Friday, May 7 at 2:00 p.m. at County Club United Methodist Church, 57th and Wornall Road in Kansas City. A reception will follow in the church library. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Martha’s name to the Country Club United Methodist Church Memorial fund.
Fond memories and condolences for the family may be left at www.johnsoncountychapel.com
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