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Martha Schworm Obituary
May 31, 1950 - November 17, 2022
Charlotte, North Carolina - Martha Jean Schworm died on Nov 17, 2022. She had been living at The Haven at Carolina Place in Charlotte, NC since 2019 and formerly lived in Vienna, VA.
Martha was born and raised in Charlotte and graduated from the Charlotte public schools. She moved to Evanston, IL to study at Kendall Junior College followed by Mary Washington College in Fredericksburg, VA. After graduation, Martha began her career with Fairfax County Social Services in Virginia where she remained for more than 30 years until her retirement. She was passionate about her job and deeply committed to helping people in need. This commitment continued after her retirement through her volunteer work as a patient advocate for the elderly.
Martha was devoted to her family and played an important part in the lives of her nieces and nephew and her grand nephews. Her many close friends attest to Martha's kindness, generosity, good humor, and love of fun and meaningful conversations. Martha's friends and family will greatly miss her.
Martha loved holidays and organized family events whenever possible. She was passionate about finding the perfect gifts for family and friends, and many of them revealed her quirky side, especially the colorful sweaters.
Martha had a great passion for traveling to fascinating locations with family and friends. She and her mother once took a road trip through New York, Illinois, and Iowa to visit ancestral homes. Martha loved to coax family and friends into visiting her favorite places in the Caribbean including Aruba, Barbados, and Antigua. A favorite trip was to Churchill, a remote town in Manitoba, Canada, to see the Northern lights.
Predeceased by her parents, Rolston and Martha Jean (Emery) Schworm, Martha is survived by her sister Anne Schworm and her husband Gray Stephens of Charlotte, and her brothers Robert Schworm of Carrboro, NC, and William Schworm and his wife Denise Doiron of Boston, MA. She is also survived by her nephew Peter Schworm and his wife Kara O'Leary Schworm of Boston and her nieces Melissa Schworm of Carrboro, and Emily Lamb and her husband Thomas Lamb and their children Colin and Whitman Lamb of Wilmington, NC.
The family would like to extend its heartfelt thanks to the staff at The Haven at Carolina Place and the Hospice and Palliative Care Charlotte Region.
A graveside service will be held at 2:30 PM on Saturday, December 3, 2022 at Evergreen Cemetery, Charlotte. The family will receive friends immediately following at the home of Anne Schworm and Gray Stephens, 1232 Marlwood Terrace, Charlotte.
In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory can be made to the Alzheimer's Association at https://www.alz.org.
Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Ave., Charlotte, NC; 28204 (704) 641-7606. Online condolences can be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Martha Schworm
Gigi Stratton
May 12, 2025
I´m just now finding out about Martha´s death. We were not in touch after I retired from DSS but I never forgot the special goodness that was Martha. She had a great sense of humor and a loving heart. She was one of those people you never forget. Bless her....I like to think of her with her mom safe in heaven. Gigi Stratton
The Haven @ Carolina Place
December 1, 2022
I have many fond memories of Miss Martha from the Haven where my mother Betty Humphries was also a resident until her passing last December. Miss Martha was always eager to join in our visits with my mom when my brother Ted or my husband Tom were with me. She liked to "listen" and always had a smile. Her presence was always a comfort to us and she will be missed my many. I´m sure my mom welcomed her "home". God bless your family.
Melanie Cusano (friend)
George Emery Biles
November 26, 2022
Martha Jean´s Mom often asked me (her cousin) to take baby Martha Jean for a bundled-up ride around their Charlotte neighborhood in the Schworm family´s Taylor-Tot. That always made me very happy because neighbors loved to see the beaming "Martha Jean smile." Years later, after my own sons, George and Spencer Biles, were born, she became their cute cousin Martha "Bean." Their mispronunciation always generated a loud Martha Jean giggle. My late sister (Lynn Biles Moore) and late brother (Robert Biles) became good friends with their MJ during her growing-up years. Martha Jean also was loved by Lynn´s children, Allison and Matthew Moore - a sweet example of how Martha Jean´s life seamlessly reached across generations.
After Martha Jean graduated from Mary Washington College, we (her cousin George and his wife Sloane) invited MJ to live with us in Burke, Virginia while she job-hunted. Martha Jean found the job she craved within a year: Social Worker par excellence with Fairfax County, Virginia. As MJ´s career progressed, another of Martha Jean´s 1st Cousins, Betsy Loch Emery, wrote us about how Martha Jean was doing and occasionally that Martha Jean was coming to New York for a visit.
Martha Jean blessed all of us with many memories of her sweet smile and engaging personality. She made a positive impact on many lives: 1st Cousins George, Lynn, and Robert; 2nd Cousins George & Spencer Biles, Allison & Matthew Moore - as well as her many Northern Virginia clients who she ably assisted.
May dear Martha Jean Schworm rest in peace. She leaves us with happy memories. George Emery Biles
Linda Ganela
November 25, 2022
Martha was such a fun person. We met at DFS when we started our careers. Martha was helpful to everyone. I have fond memories of being with our friend Janie Kopp. They were best buddies and were always laughing together. Martha was a bright light. She will be missed.
Jane Ouellette
November 22, 2022
Martha was a wonderful friend and co-worker. We shared many heartfelt talks about our mothers who both shared the same awful disease. Martha was devoted to her mother. I have many wonderful memories of Martha and her wonderful smile. Condolences to her family. Jane Ouellette
Connie Weyant (formerly Still)
November 21, 2022
Martha worked with my Mom, Thelma Bartholomew, for many years and I knew Martha from a very young age. I´m so sorry to hear this news and know that my Mom will be very shocked when I tell her that Martha has passed away. She was a kind and caring person who made a difference in the work she did in our community.
gail hansen
November 19, 2022
We were friends, co-workers for over 40 years. We had fun and did a ton of work which we did in our own unique ways. We had many laughs and tears together; when we all followed your ideas and created a beach in the conference room at B-3 for Worker Appreciation Day. In doing so you got stuck in the revolving door with a canoe which inflated. It took me 15 plus minutes to get you and the canoe out of the door. While 2 security guards stood laughing at us along with several staff. This story followed us for years as typical Martha /Gail antics. We shared joys and sorrows and many laughs together. You even saved my life in 2016. I will always remember and treasure our friendship. Gail
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Memorial Events
for Martha Schworm
Dec
3
Visitation
home of Anne Schworm and Gray Stephens
1232 Marlwood Terrace, Charlotte, NC
Dec
3
Graveside service
2:30 p.m.
Evergreen Cemetery
Charlotte, NC
Funeral services provided by:
Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service - Charlotte1321 Berkeley Avenue, Charlotte, NC 28204
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