Martha Anne Raines Talbott

Martha, the daughter of the late Paul Green Raines and Pinkie Mabel Clevinger Raines, was born on Feb. 7, 1941, in Elkins, West Virginia.

Martha was preceded in death by her parents; six brothers, John, Bert, James, Charles, Robert and Morton; one sister, Virginia; and one half-brother, Lefford Compton.

She was also preceded in death by her loving husband, Alton Dane Talbott; and her daughter, Paula Kaye Talbott King.

Six of Martha’s brothers served in the military — three of those in wars: WWII, Korea and Vietnam.

A woman of deep faith and perseverance, Martha battled Sjogren’s syndrome, an autoimmune disease, for many years. Despite her illness, she remained a resilient spirit until her passing, which was ultimately due to complications of the disease.

Martha’s legacy is one of love, kindness, and an enduring connection to the land. In her own words, “I’m a country girl who was raised on a farm. I loved to dig in the dirt and I loved animals — dogs, cats, horses, ponies, rabbits, cows, hogs and chickens.” Her deep affection for animals and her joy in tending to the earth were central to her character.

Martha’s life was shaped by a strong sense of family and a genuine love for the natural world. She spent her years creating a home filled with love, warmth and devotion. Her many roles as a wife, mother, aunt, and friend were marked by her unwavering loyalty, hard work and determined spirit. She held several jobs over the course of her life. Most notably she worked for Valley Supply Company for 25 years and for the City of Elkins under several mayors.

Martha will be dearly missed by her surviving family members, including her many nieces and nephews, and a host of close friends who will always cherish her memory.

In honoring Martha’s express wishes, her body has been donated to the WVU Human Gift Registry in order that future doctors may come to more clearly understand the disease that troubled her during the last years of her life. A celebration of life may be planned at a future date.

May Martha Anne Raines Talbott rest in eternal peace, forever in the hearts of all who knew and loved her.