On February 8,1945, in Lynchburg, Virginia, the Lord blessed Frances and Hugo Spencer with their second of three children, Martha Frances Spencer. Little curly-headed Martha came in order behind her big brother, John Hugo Spencer (Concord, VA), and before little sister, Sarah Spencer Brockman (Amherst, VA). Stories that Martha would come to fondly tell throughout her life sprang from her well-guided younger years which were filled with playing the piano, honing her love of dance, and playing with many school and neighborhood friends.

During Martha's senior year of high school, it was just another day at lunch in the cafeteria when that well-guided teen life took a turn. A new adventure began-- she was asked on a first date by a tall, blue-eyed athlete named Edmund Wingfield Perrow. She said yes, and some two years later she would accept Edmund's request for her hand in marriage; a God-ordained union that spanned 59 wonderful years.

Martha's vibrancy was evident in the many interests and talents that she carried throughout her life, on which a book could be written. The passions she held closest were Rivermont Avenue Baptist Church, her beloved Bible study-- "Women of the Word," and her family. With Edmund by her side, she wholeheartedly lived for her family. Her three children-- Edmund Wingfield Perrow, Jr.; Elizabeth Perrow Crutchfield; and Langhorne Stuart Perrow-- were the reasons for her being. Always a born storyteller with a joyful sense of humor, some of her most special experiences to recount around the dinner table later in life included: a morning at daybreak in a duck blind on the Salt River alongside Edmund Jr. and her grandson; reminiscing about joyous details of Elizabeth's wedding put on by some of Martha's dearest friends at her and Edmund's homeplace; and proudly recalling the day of Langhorne's graduation in Charlottesville which served as a stepstone in his professional pursuits.

Not only did she live for her husband and children, but most-assuredly her grandchildren … all six. It was this glorious season of her life that she became lovingly known as "Gaga." Martha would, with twinkling eyes, refer to each of her grands as "super neat and great citizens," all of whom follow in order: Edmund Wingfield (Field) Perrow III; Annalee Sevaan Perrow; Branham Crutchfield Smith; Frances Katherine Crutchfield; Ann Langhorne Crutchfield; and Grace Scott Crutchfield.

When her grandchildren were asked to share a memory or thought of Gaga, their reflections spoke volumes:

Field recalled, "When I was young, making a decision that would affect my life well into the future, Gaga told me 'manners and morals can take you further than an education.' That one sentence has helped me more than anything anyone else had ever said to me."

Branham's comment, "Gaga's heart is incapable of being put into words. Whenever Gaga received a compliment on an item, she would turn around and offer whatever the item was in return. She taught me earthly treasures belong to earth and don't compare to the jewels of Heaven. Gaga shared the gospel through her actions. I know she planted mustard seeds wherever she went."

Katherine remembers, "I've never wanted to grow up to 'be' anything so much as I've just wanted to be someone like Gaga-- to have some small piece of her grace, her keen humor, her powerful love."

Ann Langhorne shared, "Honestly, incredible doesn't even begin to describe her. She had an elegance that was so pure, it came naturally. She was unaware of her beauty which only made her more beautiful. Beneath that elegance was a child-like spirit. She had a laugh that filled the neighborhood. She lived for each day."

Grace retells, "Gaga's favorite story to tell me was about when I was in the NICU. I had a spinal issue that could not be identified and Gaga came to sit with me. She placed her hand on my back and felt a warmth go from my back up her arm. The next day I was healed, and she knew that the warmth she felt was God healing."

Life became even sweeter with the birth of Martha's great grandchild-- Bradley Ellen Smith. At 16 months, Bradley's memory of Gaga will be built on the backs of her aunts' and uncles' stories-- probably going to be a pretty good picture.

On July 9, 2024 God brought Gaga, His sweet Martha, Home. He surely has some people in Heaven that can't wait to know Gaga. Given the incredibly beautiful sunset that hot evening, we have to believe it was one glorious Homecoming.

A celebration of Martha's life is being planned for the fall at their home in Lancaster, South Carolina.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Martha's honor to the American Cancer Society and Agape Care Group of Lancaster, South Carolina.