Martha Rodgers Reid

On Monday, September 21, 2020, Martha, “Marty”, Rodgers Reid, loving wife, and mother of two children, passed away at the age of 72. Marty was born on June 10, 1948, in Birmingham, AL, to the late Herbert B. and Norma T. Rodgers. She graduated from Brook Hill School for Girls in 1966 and Birmingham Southern College in 1970. Marty then moved to Pensacola, FL, where she met and married John, “Jay”, Reid, a naval aviator, in 1975. The U.S. Navy transferred them to Virginia Beach where Marty accepted a pre-school teaching position at Virginia Beach Country Day School. They were blessed with two children in 1978 and 1980 and Marty threw herself into “holding down the fort” at home during Jay’s deployments. Later, when the children were older, Marty returned to education, teaching in Virginia Beach, most notably at King’s Grant Elementary where she was a beloved third grade teacher and frequently entertained colleagues as “Fermagill”, a comic Southern lady. During retirement, Marty’s sense of community spirit led her to volunteer long hours at the polls during elections, and as an usher at the Sandler Center for Performing Arts in Virginia Beach. Marty was a passionate reader and solver of puzzles; however, she was not above ‘cheating’ when the answer was elusive. She treasured visits from her grandchildren, always ensuring there were plenty of freshly baked cookies on hand. Marty’s quick wit, infectious smile, and kind and compassionate spirit drew people to her. She delighted in spending time with friends, be it a day on the beach, an evening playing Bunko, on a road trip, or a hot dog at Uncle Al’s. She found special pleasure in walks with Dexter, her miniature schnauzer. Marty was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Toby Rodgers. Left to cherish her memory is her husband, John David, “Jay”, Reid; children, Darby Nelson (Chris) and Matthew Reid; her sister and brother-in-law Sidney and David Wood; sister-in-law, Linda Rodgers; grandchildren, Bryce and Ruby Nelson, and several nieces and nephews. A private funeral service will be held at St. Aidan’s Episcopal Church at 2:00pm on Tuesday, September 29, 2020. Memorial donations in lieu of flowers may be made to St. Aidan’s, 3201 Edinburgh Drive, Virginia Beach, VA 23452. Please visit www.cremationserviceshr.com to leave a condolence to the family.