Martha Simpson Cartledge

Martha Louise Simpson Cartledge entered into rest the morning of February 15, 2025. Martha was born on May 8th, 1941 in Jacksonville, Florida. Growing up, her family lived in a number of states while her stepfather proudly served our great country in the United States Navy. After graduating from Milton High School in Milton, Florida, she attended Florida State University and was a member of Phi Mu Sorority. In 1959, Martha was crowned Miss Fiesta of Five Flags of Pensacola, Florida. In that same year, she moved to Augusta, Georgia where she met her future husband, Otis G. Cartledge, Jr. The couple was married on December 5, 1959 at First Baptist Church of Augusta and settled in Columbia County. She enthusiastically supported her husband throughout his career as a custom home builder and developer in Richmond and Columbia counties, but most of all, Martha took pride in being a devoted and loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. As a lifelong Christian and member of First Baptist Church of Evans, she faithfully served our Lord and her church family by teaching Sunday School, managing the nursery, leading the floral committee, and volunteering wherever she was needed. Through her faith, she gave back to her community by volunteering at the Master’s Table Soup Kitchen in Augusta and mentoring in the vocational department at Evans High School. Martha also had special interests in the arts, outdoors, and had a lifelong love of reading. She was a member of the Augusta Genealogical Society and spent much of her time at the Augusta Country Club, where she was an active participant in the women’s golf league. She enjoyed spending weekends in the Blue Ridge Mountains, where the scenery, animals, family and friends were often the inspiration for her watercolors. When she wasn’t painting, reading, or spending time with her family, she could be found gardening or in the kitchen, joyfully making a meal that was sure to bring everyone together. 

Martha is preceded in death by her mother, Ida Kathleen White, father Van Buren Simpson, step-father, Jessie J. White, brothers Van Buren Simpson Jr, Bob Ray Simpson, Samuel Royall Norris Simpson, Preston Graham Simpson, and sister, Valerie White Newsome. She is survived by her husband, Otis George Carltedge Jr., sons James Norris Cartledge (Joy), Otis George Cartledge III (Angela), Lee Frederick Cartledge (Dell), daughter Mary Cartledge Sneed (Andy), grandchildren Katie Cartledge Scarboro (Jason), James N. Cartledge Jr (Daniela), Bryce G. Cartledge and Rebecca Strand, Kessler Cartledge Brassell (Tanner), Otis G. Cartledge IV, Whitney Stallings (Keelan), Jordan L. Cartledge and Taylor Clark, Faith M. Cartledge, Ian A. Sneed (Angel), Kathleen G. Sneed, Kendall A. Sneed, and great-grandchildren Carson Scarboro, Waylon Scarboro, Austin Louise Scarboro, Cash Cartledge, Cohen Brassell, Barron Brassell, Madison Stallings, Olivia Stallings, Rosalie Sneed and Grant Sneed

Graveside services will be held at 12:00 PM on Wednesday, February 19, 2025 at Westover Memorial Park. The family will receive friends at Platt's Belair Road from 10:00 AM until 11:00 AM on the day of the service.

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”

– Matthew 5:4