Martha Josephine Fulbright Semmes entered the kingdom of Heaven peacefully on August 19, 2015 and is now living the promise of her salvation. We wish to celebrate the life she lived by remembering her smile, warmth, and love for her family and friends.
A native of Bradley County, Mrs. Semmes was a 1958 graduate of Bradley County High School and 1962 graduate of the University of Chattanooga. She moved to Tullahoma in 1964 with her husband, Dr. Frank Wilson Semmes after he had purchased the optometry practice of the late Dr. Edwin L. Barber in October of that same year. Mrs. Semmes with her degree in Elementary Education pursued her passion for teaching and worked for Robert E. Lee Elementary as a 1st and 2nd grade teacher for several years. While at the University of Chattanooga, Marty was a member of Chi Omega sorority. Marty also had a passion for tennis, golf, and was a proud supporter of the University of Tennessee football team and men’s and women’s basketball teams and could be heard cheering Go Vols with great fervor during these sporting events. She was also a huge fan of any/all 50’s music and could be found often singing and dancing in her family’s living room.
She is predeceased by her husband of 50 years, Frank Semmes, her parents, Mary Fulbright & Judge Mark Fulbright; sisters, Elinor Ledford of Cleveland, TN and Rochelle O’Connor, Schaumburg, IL. She is survived by her daughter, Stacey Hamby and her husband, Craig from Murfreesboro and daughter, Cindy Syphax and her husband Mike from Orlando. Marty’s granddaughters, Emily Grayson and Presley Elizabeth Hamby, grandson, Luke Syphax. Nephew, Jon Semmes of Dunnellan, FL, niece, Stefanie Gramlich, Dunnellan, FL and Dale Ledford, nephew, Cleveland, TN.
We want to let her know that she did a great job as a wife, mother and grandmother and friend while on earth. We will always remember her ability to make everyone she met feel like an old friend. And through her faith and assurance of eternal salvation she has a new, healthy and vibrant body when she entered the kingdom of Heaven.
Friends may visit with the family Friday afternoon at Tullahoma funeral home from 11a.m to 1 p.m with a memorial service to follow. Dr. George Jackson and his wife, Betty officiating.
Interment will be at Rose Hill Memorial Gardens.
The family would like to sincerely thank and recognize NHC Healthcare of Murfreesboro and Caris Healthcare for the excellent service, love and support Mrs. Semmes and her family received during her stay.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Way of Hope, 1618 Hamilton Drive, Murfreesboro, TN 37129 (www.wayofhope.net) in memory of Marty Semmes OR Tullahoma Animal Shelter Fund (P.O Box 807, Tullahoma, TN 37388. If you have a fun memory, story or comment about Marty, please share with us on Tullahoma Funeral Home’s website under the Guest Book.
Tullahoma Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Mrs. Martha Semmes.