Dr. Martha McGraw

Dr. Martha Louise McGraw passed away quietly Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2022. Martha's younger sister as well as her faithful companion, Lucky, were by her side.

Martha was born Jan. 2, 1946, to the late V.A. and Anna Bell Brock McGraw.

Martha is survived by her sister, Marilyn (Gene) Morgan of Cape Girardeau; nephews, Jason (Kelly) Morgan and daughter, Hannah of Jacksonville, Florida, Dr. Justin (Kirti Patel) Morgan and children, Leena and Kiran of Tupelo, Mississippi, and Jonathan (Tammy) Morgan and children, Grace and Anabell of Cape Girardeau.

Other friends and relatives will greatly miss her. She was known as a loving and compassionate doctor with the uncanny ability to diagnose unusual illnesses. Martha was an active member of the Pinecrest Nazarene Church, where she played the piano and served wherever she could be of service. Martha also served on term as mayor of Fredericktown, Missouri, having won the election as a write-in candidate.

She attended Wardell (Missouri) School all 12 years, graduating as salutatorian in May 1963. Martha continued her studies at Southeast Missouri State University, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology. Deaconess Hospital in St. Louis employed her as a medical technician upon graduation. She would later move to Memphis, Tennessee, continuing her work in the laboratory.

She earned her master's degree from the University of Tennessee-Memphis. She then took a teaching position at the University of Tennessee, instructing students in the medical technology field, as well as continuing to work for Methodist Hospital.

Regardless of her credentials in the medical field, Martha faced a struggle in being granted permission to attend medical school. She had two factors against her: She was a woman, and she was older than the usual age of medical students. Due to her tenacity, she was granted admission to East Tennessee State School of Medicine in Johnson City, Tennessee. After completing medical school, she completed her residency in pediatrics and family practice at Children's Hospital and the VA Hospital of St. Louis.

Martha opened an office practicing family medicine in Fredericktown upon completing her residency. During her tenure at Madison Memorial Hospital, she served at the director for the emergency room department. At the time of her passing, she was the director of the emergency medical system and served in this capacity for more than 13 years. During this time, she aided in getting a new facility for housing the ambulances as well as a training area and exercise room for the crews.

Visitation will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday at Follis & Sons Funeral Home in Fredericktown.

Funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Pinecrest Nazarene Chapel, with interment to be held in Portageville Cemetery in Portageville, Missouri.

In lieu of flowers, contributions should be made to Pinecrest Nazarene Church or Crown Hospice of Cape Girardeau.