Martha S. Smith

Martha Sigmon Smith

1/3/1928-10/29/2019

Martha was a former resident of Westtown for almost 50 years. She was born in the town of Claremont, North Carolina to the late Ned and Emma Sigmon. She was the wife of the late Houston J Smith of Westtown.

She attended secretarial school and held many jobs as an administrative assistant. Martha was also, a gifted artist. She loved many medias, but her favorite was porcelain. She was an excellent china painter and loved making porcelain dolls. Martha won many awards as an amateur and as a professional, locally and nationally. She was a member of the Mid Atlantic Porcelain Artists, holding many positions in that club. Martha loved to share her joy of painting by being a traveling teacher. She held classes all over Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware and New Jersey. But her one true love was politics and her service to Chester County and the state of Pennsylvania.

Martha was one of the longest elected officials and oldest in Chester County, she served 4 terms as the Democratic Jury Commissioner (1997-2013). When the position was eliminated, in true Martha fashion she sued the state and the governor going all the way to the State Supreme court. She served as District Leader, Zone Leader and Committee person in Westtown Township with a remarkable level of dedication. She has been a member of the Pennsylvania State Federation of Democratic Women for over 40 years, where she served as a member of the Federation’s Board beginning in 1984 and as Regional Director for six consecutive terms. In 2000, she was also co-chair of the Federation’s convention in Philadelphia and elected “Woman of the Year” by the Pennsylvania Federation of Democratic Women that same year. She was also awarded in 2000 the Liberty Bell by Former Mayor John Street of Philadelphia for her service. Martha was also a long standing member of the Chester County Democratic Women's Club, she served three terms as President, one term as Vice President and was also the Parliamentarian. She also served as President for the Beth Wright Women’s Club. Martha was also recognized by the Chester County Democratic Committee with a Lifetime Achievement Award for her service to the Chester County Democratic Party for over 40 years. The Chester County Democratic Women’s Leadership Initiative created a scholarship in her name giving scholarships to young women who demonstrate outstanding leadership, dedication to serving their community, and participation in the Democratic Party.

Martha was a true public servant to her party and her community. She worked tirelessly to make sure at election time that polling locations in Westtown were covered, she would go out and put signs up, hand out literature and any other tasks that candidates would need done. Before she was Jury Commissioner, she was the longtime Inspector for Westtown 1 precinct.

Martha loved her family and especially her grandchildren and great grandson. She was always there for them and loved to spoil them. Martha was so proud of all their accomplishments. She was a horse show mom for Laura, always bring a full meal for everyone at shows, holding ponies and making sure that Houston was taking enough pictures. Another thing that Martha loved to do is cook, anyone that has had her cooking always had seconds and probably a doggie bag as she never cooked a small amount. She was a true Southern cook.

Martha was a true friend to all and never missed an opportunity to help someone out.

She is survived by her daughter Laura Bradley (James), grand children Nina Marie Lyman (Charles), Sean Bradley and Jamie Bradley. Great grandson Charles Kai Bishop Lyman IV. Predeceased are her brother Jack Sigmon and her sister Nina (Opal Sigmon) LaRue. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Relatives and friends are invited to her Visitations from 6-8pm on Friday, November 8, 2019 and from 9-11am on Saturday, November 9, 2019 at the DellaVecchia, Reilly, Smith & Boyd Funeral Home, Inc. 410 N. Church St. West Chester, PA 19380, 610-696-1181, www.DellaFH.com; followed by her Memorial Service at 11am.

Interment will be private.  

The family would like to thank Harrison House in Coatesville, Penn Medicine Hospice and Chester County Hospital for taking great care of Martha over the past few years and recently.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in her name to her granddaughter Nina’s nonprofit for retired racehorses, TRRAC Thoroughbred Retirement Rehabilitation and Careers which located in Pocopson, Pa. https://trrac.givingfuel.com/trrac-donations