Obituary of Martha "Marty" Harris Spruill ~ 2004

Transcribed by Joan S Dunn

Source: New Bern Sun Journal May 1 2004

Martha Spruill, 83, passed away peacefully at her home in Charlotte, NC on 
April 30, 2004. 
She was born December 6, 1920, in Oriental, N.C. the daughter of the late 
Ralph Mahoney and Bessie McPherson Harris. 
Mrs. Spruill graduated from Oriental High School and The Woman’s College 
of the University of N.C. (UNC-G). She taught from 1941-1945 at Paw Creek 
Elementary in Mecklenburg County, NC. While at Paw Creek she coached the 
boy’s basketball and baseball teams.  
Mrs. Spruill also taught school in New Bern, NC, and worked for the 
Greenville and Durham Dept. of Social Services as a case worker. During 
the latter part of WWII, Mrs. Spruill moved to Washington, DC where she 
served her country as a cryptographer for the Signal Corps and helped to 
decipher the secret Japanese code. On September 16, 1948, Marty married 
her childhood friend Rod Spruill. She and Rod lived most of their married 
life and raised their family in Manhasset, NY and Clinton, SC. In 1984, 
they moved to Charlotte. Mrs. Spruill was an involved and tireless 
volunteer in countless school, church and community activities. Her 
vivacious personality, talent for telling stories and charm left a mark 
on everyone she met. 
Mrs. Spruill is survived by her beloved husband of 55 years, Rodman T. 
Spruill and their four children; daughters, Mackie Spruill, Sarah Little 
and husband Tim, and Jane Ives and husband Frasier, all of Charlotte; son, 
Rod Spruill, Jr. and wife Nancy of Knoxville, TN. 
She is also survived by her six adored grandchildren; Claire, Adam, and 
Michael Little, Harris and Hunter Ives all of Charlotte, and Stephen 
Spruill of Knoxville, TN. 
Mrs. Spruill was predeceased by her brother R. M. Harris, Jr.  
Memorials may be made to the Oriental United Methodist Church, 404 
Freemason St. Oriental, NC, 28571, or to Hospice at Charlotte, 1420 East 
7th St. Charlotte, NC, 28204.





Back to Pamlico Obituaries Index
Return to Pamlico County Page