Martha Butler Rector

Martha Butler Rector, 92, Kingsport, passed away on Thursday, February 11, 2016. Martha was born in Pigeon Forge and graduated from Sevier County High School in 1941. Her mother, Sarah Ethel Tarwater Butler, attended East Tennessee Normal School, beginning in January 1912. Following in her mother's footsteps, Rector attended what was then East Tennessee State Teachers College from 1941 - 1942.

Her college career was abruptly curtailed when Pearl Harbor was attacked. Rector decided to follow her brother's example and joined the U.S. Marine Corps. She enlisted in 1942 and served at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina until 1944. She was secretary to Lieutenant General Lewis "Chesty" Puller, the most decorated Marine in U.S. history, and the only Marine to receive five Navy crosses.

After her discharge from the Marines, Rector returned home and enrolled at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville in 1945, graduating in 1947 with a degree in Business.

Rector was also employed by Eastman as a secretary, starting in 1948.

Martha was an active member of First Broad Street United Methodist Church. In addition to her committee service at the local, district and conference levels, Martha Rector was the first woman to chair the Administrative Board at her church. She had assisted with grief support groups and served on the Trustees Committee.

Rector was a member of the ETSU President's Silver Society and the ETSU Legacy Circle for her current and future support. In her estate plans, she created the Martha Butler Rector Professorship in Finance to assist a distinguished faculty member within the College of Business and Technology.

Most recently, Rector had directed her attention to the effort to raise funds for a memorial to war veterans in Kingsport, where she resided.

She was preceded in death by her husband Calvin Rector; parents, David and Ethel Butler; and brother, David Butler, Jr.

Martha is survived by two nephews, Jack Rector and wife, Bonnie, and Bobby Butler; niece, Mary Ann Newman and husband, Robert; and several great-nieces and great-nephews and cousins.

The funeral service will be conducted on Sunday at 2:00 p.m. at First Broad Street United Methodist Church with The Rev. Joe Green and The Rev. Jack P. Weikel officiating. The family will receive friends at the church following the service.

The graveside service will be held on Monday at 11:00 a.m. at Shiloh Cemetery in Pigeon Forge. Military Rites will be conducted by American Legion Posts #104 Sevierville.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to First Broad Street United Methodist Church, 100 E. Church Circle, Kingsport, TN 37660, or to Caris Healthcare (Hospice) 110 W. Springbrook Dr., Johnson City, TTN 37604.