Martha Briggs Obituary

Martha Alice Briggs
Martha Alice (Fisher) Briggs, 93, of Midland, died peacefully in her sleep in the early hours of December 9, 2024. She was born May 8, 1931, in Corning, Ohio, to the late Fred and Hazel Fisher. Martha graduated from Corning High School in 1949. She went to work in Columbus, Ohio, and married the love of her life, Roger Lee Briggs on September 1, 1951.
Martha is survived by her son, Michael (Victoria), daughter-in-law Martha Jasper Briggs, son-in-law David Shaw, grandchildren Dan (Melanie) Briggs, Scott (Lauren) Briggs, Anne Marie (Michael) Messmer, Nathan (Kim) Briggs, Luke (Dayna) Briggs, Derek Sinclair, Melissa (Troy) Grunder, Jordan (David) Serrano, Stephen (Katie) Shaw, Danielle (Kyle) Fetters, and 19 special great-grandchildren.
She is also survived by her sisters Patty Bowers of Boise, Idaho, and Midge (George) Palmer of Lake Saint Louis, Missouri. Martha is pre-deceased by her beloved husband, Roger, her brothers Fred Fisher Jr and Vernon Fisher, her sisters Jean Boring, Lillian Winnenberg, Georgianne Price, and Roberta Sawyer, her son Roger Allen Briggs, and her daughter, Susan Briggs Shaw. There is a joyful reunion going on in heaven!
Martha started her career as "Mom" with the birth of their first son on the day of her second wedding anniversary in 1953. She was a stay-at-home mom until the kids were in school. She then worked as an office assistant in the Midland Public Schools at Midland High, Northeast Intermediate and at the Bus Garage for over 20 years. She was also active in many of her kids' activities. She was a den mother for the Boy Scouts and a Brownie leader for the Girl Scouts.
Community service was important to Martha. She and Roger taught handicapped swimming for many years. She also volunteered as a lunch box learner for many years and mentored young girls at Central Intermediate. She was a long-time member of the First United Methodist Church in Midland where she volunteered in the office, served Friendship lunches on Sundays for many years and went on several Mission trips to Midwest Mission in Chatham, Illinois and hurricane relief in Louisiana where she was often involved in cooking meals for all the other volunteers.
Throughout her life, family was very important to Martha. Whether it was her kids' or grandkids' sports, spring break ski trips, weekends at the cottage, weddings, or graduations, she and Roger were always there. All her kids and grandkids graduated from Dow High School, and they attended all 11 graduations! She attended many sporting events of her kids and grandkids and even a few great grand kids! All the grandkids and the kids received a quilt made for them especially from Grandma. She was known for her sewing and knitting and was knitting wash clothes for her grandkids and sewing bibs for great grandkids and charity well into her 90s.
The family would like to thank Primrose Retirement Community of Midland, Right At Home Care Midland and Compassus Hospice Care for the excellent care Martha received.
A memorial service for Martha will take place Saturday, December 21st at 1 pm at First United Methodist Church, 315 W. Larkin St, Midland, with Reverend Jeremy Africa officiating. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m., on December 20th, at Ware Smith Woolever, 1200 W Wheeler St, Midland, and from 12 to 1 p.m., at the church before the service. Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider the First United Methodist Church or a charity of your choice.
All of us at Ware Smith Woolever are honored the Briggs family has entrusted us with the care of their loved one.