Columbus
Martha Stephenson Graham, 103, of Columbus, Indiana, died Saturday, April 9, 2016, at Four Seasons Medical Center in Columbus.
Mrs. Graham is survived by her son, Andrew Stephenson Graham; daughter‐in‐law, Dina L. Graham; grandchildren, Susan Louise (William) Moore, Daniel Andrew (Seong‐Kyung) Graham and Matthew Stephenson (Rita) Graham; and great‐grandchildren, Taylor Stephenson Moore, Kyle Joseph Moore, Sydney Lauren Graham and Reagan Olivia Graham.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 42 years, Arthur Wheeler Graham Jr.; son, Arthur Wheeler Graham III; parents, Oliver William and Eva Lou Stephenson; and her brother, John Oliver Stephenson.
She was born on Easter Sunday, March 23, 1913, in Orleans, Indiana, where her father was the local pharmacist, a farmer and a partner in the local telephone company, a creamery and a furniture factory and her mother was a music teacher and church organist. Following the start of the 1929 depression, her family moved to Greenwood, Indiana, where her father opened a pharmacy. She graduated from Greenwood High School and attended Indiana University where she joined Kappa Alpha Theta sorority.
She worked in retail sales until her marriage in 1939 to Arthur, an executive with Arvin Industries. They moved to Columbus, Indiana, in 1940.
Having lived through the upheavals of two world wars, the Great Depression and the Cold War, her life demonstrated resilience, strength of character, cheerfulness, generosity, patience, humor and devotion to God and family. She was involved in volunteer and leadership positions in many civic and political activities including the Republican Women’s Workshop, Bartholomew County School Foundation board, Distinguished Visitors Series board, Columbus North English Department tutor, American Cancer Society chapter, Brownie Scouting, Eastside Community Center meals program, Tri‐Kappa sorority, county mental health board, Crisis Pregnancy Center board, Columbus Pro Musica board and co‐chairman of Mayor Bob Stewart’s first campaign. She was 1983 Bartholomew County Senior Citizen of the Year.
She expressed her devotion to God through her long membership in the First United Methodist Church of Columbus, participation in the Chancel Choir, assisting in the local migrant worker ministry and FISH program and leading Christian education classes and Bible Study Fellowship for children and adults for over sixty years. Her genuine concern for people made her friend, confidante and mentor to anyone who sought her companionship. Her unfailing love and support made her the respected and beloved matriarch of her family.
Visiting hours will be from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 16, 2016, at First United Methodist Church, 618 Eighth St. with the Rev. Howard Boles officiating. The memorial service will start at 11:30 a.m. Entombment at Garland Brook Cemetery Mausoleum will follow the service.
In lieu of flowers, Martha’s family suggests making memorial gifts to First United Methodist Church, Our Hospice of South Central Indiana, Learning Tree Pre‐School or Pregnancy Care Centers of South Central Indiana.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.hathaway‐myers.com.
