Ann Guthrie Martin

Ann Guthrie Martin, 74, of Charleston, passed away Friday, March 11, 2011. A lifelong resident of Charleston, she was a dedicated educator and active in her community and church. Her love for young children and compassion for the elderly were evident in her tireless work. Ann graduated from Tennessee Wesleyan College and went on to receive her Master's in Education at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. She began her career in education as an elementary school teacher at North Lee Elementary. She went on to serve as the Supervisor of Elementary Instruction for Bradley County Schools for 21 years. She received many accolades during her tenure, recognizing her work in education. She was a member of many professional organizations including: The Red Clay Council of the International Reading Association, Phi Delta Kappa, Bradley/Cleveland Association on Young Children, Kappa Delta Pi Honor Society, Delta Kappa Gamma Honor Society in Education and the Bradley/Cleveland Retired Teacher Association. Her community service included: Charleston/Calhoun Community Fund Board of Directors, Cleveland Symphony Guild, Team Evaluation Center, The American Cancer Society volunteer and Volunteer Surrogate Parent for Bradley County Special Education Department. Ann also served for several years as a board member and chairman of the Bradley Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center. Ann was active in church all her life and led many capacities. At the time of her death she was a member of Calhoun Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her parents, Glen and Edna Dalton Guthrie, her husband, Robert Martin; and her sister, Mary Frances Wattenbarger. She is survived by her brothers and their spouses, Rush and Sandra Guthrie of Riceville and Ronnie and Patti Guthrie of Crossville; nieces, Jennifer Wattenbarger of Myrtle Beach, SC, Dawn Benjamin of Ooltewah, Jill McAnally of Crossville and Susan Belcher of Mt. Juliet; nephews, Scott Guthrie and Patrick Guthrie of Crossville, Josh Guthrie of Riceville and Chris Murphy of Franklin. Funeral services will be held on Monday, March 14, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. in the chapel of Fike Funeral Home with Pastors Kevin Cheatham and Barry Purser officiating. Interment will follow in Sunset Memorial Gardens with nephews and neighbors serving as pallbearers. A white dove release ceremony will conclude the service. The family will receive friends on Sunday from 4:00-9:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the Calhoun Baptist Church Building Fund, 107 Church St., Calhoun, TN 37309 We invite you to send a message of condolence and view the Martin family guestbook at www.fikefh.com.