Dr. Martha Wade Greene

Greene, Dr. Martha Wade – age 88, of Knoxville, formerly of Harriman, died at Little Creek Sanitarium on Sunday, May 1, 2011. She had been unable to live independently since a fall in her home in 2009. Martha was born on March 25, 1923 in Biltmore, North Carolina. She and her family moved frequently throughout the depression years. She entered grade school in Gadsden, Alabama, entering high school in Dublin, GA and graduated high school in Washburn, TN. After attending Carson Newman College she went on to earn her Doctor of Optometry degree in Memphis, Tennessee at Southern College of Optometry in 1946. She loved her profession and remained active in the TN Optometrist Association, TN Academy of Optometry and the American Optometry Association until her retirement, July 2000. Martha encouraged her family to be a part of her profession. She was proud to practice optometry in Harriman, Tennessee, with her husband, Dr. Wilson M. Greene until his death in 1974. She then encouraged her nephew Joseph Crump to attend optometry school. After finishing school, he practiced with her from 1979 until 1984. Her daughter, Jackie, followed in her footsteps, too. Upon completion of Southern College of Optometry in 1983 Jackie and her husband, Dr. Tom Gunter practiced with her until her retirement. Another nephew, Gene Hickman, also joined her practice, Greene Vision Center Harriman, as a licensed optician, in 1984. Martha practiced optometry in Harriman for 54 years, dearly loving the people she served. Her other great love was her grandsons, Luke and Nick Gunter, and encouraged them to do their best in their course work at Christian Academy of Knoxville and then both graduated from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. She enjoyed taking them to Disney World every year. She also loved to take the boys out to dinner every week. From 2006-2009 she was blessed by her involvement with Crossings Church. One of her favorite activities was studying the Bible and listening to her favorite hymns. Martha was the last member of the Wade family, who owned and operated Wade’s Bakery in Knoxville and Chattanooga from 1949 until 1974. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Wilson M. Greene; parents, J.V. and Mamie Nicely Wade; sisters, Erma Hickman, Iris Dillard, Mary Nell Crump; brother, James G. Wade. Martha is survived by her daughter,Dr. Jackie Greene Gunter and husband Dr. Thomas Gunter, Jr.; grandchildren, Thomas Luther “Luke� Gunter, III, Nicholas Wilson Gunter; brother-in-law, James A. Dillard, of Strawberry Plains; sisters-in-law, Dorothy S. Wade, of Knoxville, Katherine Greene, of Fort Wayne, IN; nieces, Krisitie Pelton and husband Robert, Nancy Davis, Verlyn Dillard and husband Mike, Judy King and husband Robert, Jamie Lewis and husband Jerry, Karen Greene Sears and husband Greg, nephews, Gene Hickman and wife Marsha, Dr. Joseph Crump, Alvis B. Crump, Jr. and wife Betty, John Dillard and wife Patty; favorite cousins, Harry Shoebotham and June Brown. Many thanks to the friends and family who have surrounded Martha and her family with love and prayers during these last 2 years. Thanks to all the doctors, nurses, therapists and CNA's at Parkwest Hospital, Mercy Residential Hospice, Brakebill Rehab and Little Creek Sanitarium. Friends and family will gather on Saturday at 1:45 pm at Eastview Cemetery for a 2:00 pm graveside service with Mark Nelson, lead Pastor Crossings Church, and Dr. John Ketchen officiating. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials be made to Crossings Church, 4 Market Square, Box 8, Knoxville, TN 37902, or Trenton Street Baptist Church, 519 Trenton Street, Harriman, TN 37748, or Capstone Ministries (Orphanage in India), 2125 Emory Rd., Powell, TN 37849. The family will receive friends on Friday from 5:30 – 7:30 pm at Rose Mortuary Mann Heritage Chapel. Online condolences may be made at www.rosemortuary.com