Martha Hart

Martha Nell Maxwell Hart, 73, beloved wife, mother, and grandmother passed away peacefully Wednesday August 5, 2020 at home surrounded by loved ones.

Martha was preceded in death by her mother and father, William A. “Sam” Maxwell and Nellie Russ Maxwell; her paternal grandparents, James M. Maxwell and Bessie Gates Maxwell; her maternal grandparents, Charles A. Russ, Sr. and Ella Boyette Russ; her father-in-law, Harold G. Hart; her stepfather-in-law, Herman (Chuck) Brune; and her mother-in-law, Edna Hart Brune.

Martha is survived by her loving husband of 38 years, Randy; her children, Nancy Shultz (Rick), Richard Charles Shultz, Jr. (Anita), Catherine Masters (Jonathan), Stephen R. Hart, Jr. (Mai), and Jonathan Maxwell Hart; her loving brother, Bill Maxwell (Faye); her sisters-in-law, Tamara S. LaVance (Bill) and Tabitha R. Brooks (David); her brother-in-law, Harold G. “Hal” Hart, Jr.; her grandchildren, Mandy Bartel (Nick), Rick Ellison, Kennedy Ellison, Sara Ellison, Claribel Shultz, Jonathan S. Masters, Aiden Masters, Noah Hart, and  Melissa Hart; and numerous nephews, nieces, cousins, uncles and aunts.

Martha was born and raised in Long Beach, Mississippi and attended Long Beach High School (LBHS) graduating with honors in 1965. While attending LBHS she was involved in Beta Club, Library Club, Science Club, Junior Civitan, and Student Council.

After graduation, she attended Mississippi State University earning her B.S. degree in Arts and Sciences in 1972. She was an avid “Bulldog” fan and proud member of Chi Omega Sorority. Martha later returned to further her education at USM Gulf Park graduating in 1984 with her master’s degree in education.

Martha was a National Board Certified Teacher and spent years serving Long Beach School District as a mentor and advisor to other teachers during the strenuous application process for national boards.

She received the honor of being named STAR teacher twice, the most recent in 2017 upon returning post retirement to her Alma Mater to teach part time. The Long Beach Yearbook was dedicated to her in 1995. She was a long-serving sponsor of the Seagull yearbook, and after her retirement, a special award was named in her honor. The Martha Hart Award is awarded annually to the yearbook staff member who goes above and beyond to assist others, as Martha always did for her co-workers and students.

Her dedication to the Long Beach School District is immeasurable. She spent many hours before and after school with students providing ACT prep materials and lessons, long before it was offered as a class. Throughout her career at Long Beach, she dedicated herself by sponsoring Cheer, Beta, Yearbook, and Quiz Bowl. Her Quiz Bowl teams garnered a great deal or award recognition during her leadership.

Martha was a dedicated educator in the truest sense of the word for almost 50 years. She was dedicated to the students, families, fellow teachers, and faculty. She loved English Literature and the study of Shakespeare.

She was most proud when her son, Jonathan, followed in her footsteps as a teacher at LBHS and they were able to work together side by side until the end.

Martha loved to travel, and her favorite trips were to England, Scotland, and the Caribbean (St. John, Virgin Island) where she learned to snorkel and has loved snorkeling ever since. She loved college football and her beloved “Bulldogs”, but she also rooted for Ole Miss as long as they weren’t playing State.

On behalf of Martha, the family would like to offer their appreciation for the support, love, and prayers of the members of First United Methodist Church of Long Beach; extended family, friends, co-workers, and students that have visited, sent text messages, emails, cards, flowers, food, and notes. She was blessed to have such support and rest assured it was appreciated. Special thanks to the staff at Memorial Hospital, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, and St. Joseph Hospice.

Martha requested that memorials be made to the First United Methodist Church of Long Beach, 208 Pine Street, Long Beach 39560.

The family has made the decision to postpone services at this time due to COVID-19. A Celebration of Life will be announced at a later date.