Martha Holtzclaw

Martha Louise Hanna Holtzclaw (96) left us just before sunrise on Sunday, June 6, 2021. She was born in College Park, Georgia, March 1, 1925, daughter of the late James H. Hanna, Sr., and Ottis Day Hanna, and her stepmother, Hallie Pugh Hanna.

Louise was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, Brooks, brothers Billy and Jimmy, and her sister, Dorothy. She is survived by her son, David (wife, Meredith); grandson, Benji (partner, Jessica), granddaughters, Sarah (fiancé Chris) and Mackenzie (partner, Justin); and great-grandchildren, Anthony, Aleah (partner, Bo), and Cameron; and great-great-grandson Niko.

Louise worked for the Atomic Energy Commission in Oak Ridge, TN during World War II. She also worked for the City of Charlottesville, VA, and several insurance companies, prior to becoming a stay-at-home mother. She was a loving wife, mother, and friend. She was happiest when she was taking care of others, from making their favorite comfort dishes and refilling their plates to shamelessly spoiling their dogs when they came to visit.

She was a member of Plaza Presbyterian Church, the Covenant Bible Class, the Women of the Church, and served for many years as the Coordinator of the Bereavement Committee.

A private memorial service will be held later. There will be no graveside service as she wished for her body to be donated to the UNC-Chapel Hill School of Medicine.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Louise’s loving memory to Novant Health Hospice, 200 Hawthorne Lane, Charlotte, NC 28204. The care and advocacy her Hospice team provided Louise was of great comfort to the family. The family also expresses appreciation and gratitude to the compassionate staff of the Memory Care unit of The Social at Cotswold whose love for Louise radiated through the stories and prayers they shared.