Martha West Gilchrist

Martha Elizabeth West Gilchrist, 92, wife of the late Dr. Howard Tawney (Budd) Gilchrist passed away Monday, August 24, 2015, at Abbeville Nursing Home. Born May 15, 1923, in Jonesboro, Georgia, she was a daughter of the late Fred Devereaux West, Sr. and Mary Lee Burns West. Martha was a graduate of Abbeville High School and Winthrop College with a degree in chemistry. She met the love of her life, Budd, in Abbeville during WWII when he came to visit Abbeville while he was stationed for Army Air Corps training at Erskine and was invited to the family home for dinner. Budd affectionately nick-named her "Mitt". They married August 5, 1944 at Abbeville First Baptist Church and embarked on a life-long journey together which took them to Budd's home in McKeesport, PA; to Danville, VA for a year after Budd finished dental school; then to Williston, SC where they reared their six children and subsequently retired to Abbeville to the family home where they had met. Martha was a champion tennis player at Abbeville High School. Upon graduation from Winthrop, she was employed in the laboratory at Ware Shoals Riegel Textile Mill, testing materials produced there. She was a dedicated wife, mother and homemaker. Budd and Mitt reared and educated their six children, all of whom received college degrees and more. With all the kids grown and out into the world, she turned her attention to helping Doc Budd in the Williston dental office, assisting with reception, bookkeeping and even chair side with patients, insisting that Doc say "please" each time he asked for an instrument! They delighted in the joys and achievements of their children, grandchildren and great grands. Martha enjoyed playing bridge, was a fabulous cook, loved dancing through life with Budd and loved to travel with Budd to visit family and friends all over South Carolina and many other states. The family often joked that Budd's retirement job was "driving Miss Martha," as can be attested to the miles put on the old Buick in later years! Martha, as the last surviving member of her birth family, was preceded in death by her parents and husband, her older brother Fred D. West, Jr. and wife Nell; and her two younger sisters Mary Lee West Satterfield and husband Joel, and Caroline West McKinney and her husband Bill. She was also preceded in death by her dear daughter-in-law Emily Bond Gilchrist, wife of son Howard (Howdy) Gilchrist on August 11, 2015; a sister-in-law Dorothy "Dolly" Gilchrist Sherer and her husband Jack and a brother-in-law John Elmer Gilchrist and wife Helen. She is survived by her six children: Caroline Gilchrist McGee (Glen) of Abbeville; Shirley Gilchrist Knight (Jim) of Columbia; Howard Tawney (Howdy) Gilchrist of Indianapolis, IN; Mary Burns Owens (Hugh) of Murrells Inlet; Dr. William J. (Bill) Gilchrist (Shelley) of Hodges; and Tawney Gilchrist Gavin (Brian) of Aiken; and grandchildren: Chellie McGee Amagliani (Michael); Amanda G. Clemson (Robert); Natalie C. Robichaux (Richard); David Knight (Sebastian); Peter Knight (Lori); Sarah Burns Gilchrist; Martha Hall Gilchrist, and Samuel Tawney Gilchrist (Ashley); Emma Salley Owens; Corrie G. Manis (Zach), Charlotte G. Ziembiec (Josh), and Robert Gilchrist; Heather G. Holder (Ramey); Beth L. Gavin; Brian H. Gavin, Jr. and great grandchildren: Cullen Amagliani, Jack Clemson and Charlie Clemson; Gus Robichaux and Vivie Robichaux; Bonds Manis; Ramey Elizabeth Holder and Harley Rose Holder. The family wishes to express sincere thanks and gratitude for the care and attention given to Martha at Abbeville Nursing Home. The special care by the staff on Wing 2 and the administration will never be forgotten, nor will the continued support and care by Dr. Allen Kolb and Dawne Hershberger and the staff at Abbeville Family Medicine and visits by members of Abbeville First Baptist Church and numerous community churches, family and friends. A memorial service, for Mrs. Gilchrist, will be held 2:00pm, Sunday, September 13, 2015 at Abbeville First Baptist Church. The family will receive friends immediately following the service in the church's Christian Life Center. A private interment will be held at Long Cane Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Abbeville First Baptist Church, PO Box 825, Abbeville, SC 29620; Long Cane Cemetery Association, PO Box 1031, Abbeville, SC 29620 or a charity of one's choice. A message of condolence may be sent to the family by visiting www.harrisfuneral.com. HARRIS FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES of Abbeville is assisting the Gilchrist family.