Martha Lynn Pritchett

Martha Lynn (Elmore) Pritchett, 80, Cleveland, went to her heavenly home on Saturday, September 28, 2019.

Martha was born on August 15, 1939 in Cleveland, TN to Sherman and Mildred Elmore.  She was a 1957 graduate of Bradley Central High School.  After graduating high school, she worked in Atlanta, GA as an x-ray technician until 1961 when she married her husband, Larry W. Pritchett.  Martha assumed the role of Navy wife for the next 14 years as Larry was an active member to the United States Navy.  They lived in Florida, Illinois, California and Virginia through multiple deployments until Larry retired from active duty in 1974.  She returned to Cleveland with Larry and their three children when he retired. 

Martha was a child advocate and political activist for many years.  She and her group, Parents Against Corporal Punishment in Schools, were listed on the honor roll to End Violence Against the Next Generation.  She was instrumental in the 1980’s Department of Defense program of improvement on behalf of veterans and their families, known as C.R.I. or CHAMPUS Reform initiative.

Martha was of Baptist faith and always enjoyed traveling, especially to the states out west.  She was a big fan of Elvis Presley and enjoyed listening to his music and collecting Elvis memorabilia.  Martha will be greatly missed.

Martha was preceded in death by her parents Sherman Neal Elmore and Mildred Filyaw Elmore.

She is survived by her husband, Larry W. Pritchett; three children, Robin Pritchett, Brian Pritchett and Vanessa (Mark) Ramey, all of Cleveland; grandchildren, Mandy Pritchett, Kyle Pritchett, Travis Pritchett and Liam Ramey; sister, Mary De Los Santos, of Marietta, GA and brother, Donald Elmore of Athens; niece, Mary De Los Santos and several cousins also survive.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 3, 2019 in the chapel of Ralph Buckner Funeral Home with the Reverend Ricky Vaughn officiating.  Interment will follow in Hilcrest Memorial Gardens with a white dove release ceremony and the playing of bagpipes concluding the service.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 2, 2019 at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, Martha requested donations be made to, T.C. Thompson Children’s Hospital, 910 Blackford Street, Chattanooga, TN 37403.

We invite you to send a message of condolence and view the Pritchett family guestbook at www.ralphbuckner.com.