Martha Jean Croft Anderson was born in Collingsville, Alabama on Nov. 11, 1948. She quietly passed away on June 15, 2025 at a nursing/rehab center near our home here in Acworth Georgia. She was 76.
Martha and I met at Reinhardt College in the fall of 1966. We were married in the fall of 1970 while we were students at West Georgia College.
I knew then that I was marrying the kindest person I had ever met and 54 years later that has not changed one iota. The ever-present kindness was always there for animals as well, especially for a hungry, frightened, stray dog or cat on a cold night.
Martha was predeceased by her darling mother, Dean Wallace Croft, and steadfast and loving father, Thomas Gaines Croft, both of northwest Alabama and since Martha was four years old Acworth, Georgia.
She is survived by me, George Donald "Don"Anderson and the mama cat and two kittens that just took up residence under our front porch.
She is also survived by her brother, Lowell Thomas Croft, and his wife, Jean Clemmons Croft, of Cartersville. Martha thought of Jean as her sister in heart—no law(s) needed. She was devoted to their daughter, her niece, Debra Croft
Meadows and her husband, Tony. And their two sons—Martha's great nephews, Braden and Camden Meadows of Knoxville, TN and Athens, GA. Those two meant the world to her.
My own eight nephews are all still certain that "Aunt Martha"was the sweetest, kindest, smartest aunt anywhere in their world.
Martha received degrees and certifications from Reinhardt College, West Georgia College, and Georgia State University. She retired after serving as Library Media Specialist in Carroll, Paulding, and Bartow counties for 32 years. She was beloved by so very many colleagues and students alike.
We both still recalled in crazy detail that early fall day (Oct. 2) in Carrollton, GA. Deep blue sky ceiling, great high billowing white clouds, bit of chill in the in the brisk breeze. We were happy and giddy in love. We are still. She's right here with me now in a small box on the hearth of our living room fireplace in the c1930 home we bought a few years ago here in the historic downtown district of Acworth. She and I and all the old things we gathered with such great fun over the years. And the carnival of animals—dogs, cats, Guinea pigs, hamsters, birds, fish, gerbils, etc.
Martha was a member (Inactive) of the First Baptist Church of Acworth. I intend to announce a celebration of life memorial gathering soon.
No flowers, please. I'll pick those. And I will do so much as she would be doing mine. Her favored charity organizations are those which support children's health care and the humane treatment of animals.
I am grateful for the support I have been shown by family, friends, neighbors, and so many unbelievably hardworking and dedicated people in health care. I encourage all, especially people around our ages, to learn about pancreatitis and its symptoms.