Obituary for Martha Baird Haines
On Thursday, February 25, 2021, Martha Serilda Baird Haines passed away at the age of 94 in Greenville, SC.
Martha was born on December 9, 1926 and was a native of Iowa and Illinois. She is survived by daughter, Phyllis Ann Gearhart and her husband Jeffery M. Gearhart; grandson, Jeffery D. Gearhart and his wife Bethany Gearhart; along with great-grandchildren: Clara, Adeline, and Eleanor Gearhart; grandson, Samuel J. Gearhart; granddaughter, Anna M. Gearhart; four nieces; and three nephews.
Martha was proceeded in death by her father, Samuel Baird on October 23, 1945; her mother Serilda M. Baird on October 29, 1994; and sisters: Crystal Biggerstaff, Mary Emma Baird, and Dorothy A. Begel.
After obtaining an undergraduate degree from Iowa Wesleyan in 1948, Martha received her masters at University of Illinois in 1962. She enjoyed 33 years as a high school mathematics teacher, 22 years of which were at Joliet Township High School. This had been her career aspiration since childhood. Martha loved doing math puzzles or solving financial problems, gardening, sewing and cooking. In 1984, Martha took an early retirement to take care of her mom and to become more knowledgeable in farming. She was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Joliet, Illinois and supported many charities.
Burial will be in the family plot at Elmwood Cemetery, Morning Sun, IA.
Martha was born on December 9, 1926 and was a native of Iowa and Illinois. She is survived by daughter, Phyllis Ann Gearhart and her husband Jeffery M. Gearhart; grandson, Jeffery D. Gearhart and his wife Bethany Gearhart; along with great-grandchildren: Clara, Adeline, and Eleanor Gearhart; grandson, Samuel J. Gearhart; granddaughter, Anna M. Gearhart; four nieces; and three nephews.
Martha was proceeded in death by her father, Samuel Baird on October 23, 1945; her mother Serilda M. Baird on October 29, 1994; and sisters: Crystal Biggerstaff, Mary Emma Baird, and Dorothy A. Begel.
After obtaining an undergraduate degree from Iowa Wesleyan in 1948, Martha received her masters at University of Illinois in 1962. She enjoyed 33 years as a high school mathematics teacher, 22 years of which were at Joliet Township High School. This had been her career aspiration since childhood. Martha loved doing math puzzles or solving financial problems, gardening, sewing and cooking. In 1984, Martha took an early retirement to take care of her mom and to become more knowledgeable in farming. She was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Joliet, Illinois and supported many charities.
Burial will be in the family plot at Elmwood Cemetery, Morning Sun, IA.