Martha Pugh Sanborn, 80, of Port St. Joe, FL, entered her eternal resting place with her Lord and Savior on Friday, April 1, 2016. She was born December 17, 1935, in Athens, AL, to George David and Ethel Haygood Pugh.
She was an active member of Port St. Joe First United Methodist Church and involved in every group and committee of the church: Leader/member of Pridgeon-Rish Sunday School class, President of the UMW Marianna/PC District, member of the Emmaus Community, and member/leader of the Lay Ministry of AL/West FL Conference.
Mrs. Sanborn graduated with Honors from Florence University in 1954 and received her First Florida teaching certificate in 1959. She began her teaching career in Carrabelle, Florida. She was a teacher at PSJ Elementary and became an icon at PSJ High School. She taught many subjects over the years but was best known for her expertise in Home Economics (English a close 2nd). She was a member of the Beta Beta Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma and was to receive her "50" year pin this year. She sponsored FHA, Homecoming Committee, and was the Varsity Cheerleading Coach from 1981 until she retired in 1994. After retiring she taught at Gulf County Adult School until 2000 and helped start the Alternative Education Program in Gulf County. She received Gulf County's "Teacher of the Year" award in 1983 and "The Pride of the Shark" award in 1994. She was a tutor for SAT, ACT and FCAT. She was inducted into the Port St. Joe Athletic Hall of Fame and given a lifetime pass to all Gulf County sporting events. Over the past 50 years, she attended almost every sporting event (home and away) for PSJ High School. Mrs. Sanborn was an inspiration to thousands of students and did whatever was necessary to help them succeed. She will always be remembered for her unique ability to make every person feel special.
Martha Sanborn's legacy: warrior for Christ; loving wife; wonderful mother; affectionate grandmother, sister, aunt, friend; beloved teacher, coach/ref/ump/scout; seamstress; tutor; champion for all. She will be greatly missed!
She is survived by her husband, Clifford Sanborn; 2 sons, Robert Sanborn, Clifford "Sandy" Sanborn and wife, Vicky; daughter Pam Gould; 5 grandchildren, Sarah Sanborn, Owen Berry, Rachel Sanborn, Luke Gould and Augie Gould; brother, Joe Pugh and wife Becky; nephew David Pugh and niece, Missy Pugh.
Pall Bearers: Ray Bailey, Jimmy Harrison, Robert Smith, Wayne Taunton, Fred Whitten, Walter Wilder and Rick Williams. Honorary Pall Bearers: Chip Garrett, Jay Rish and Victor LaFerle.
Funeral services will be held Monday, April 5, 2016, at 11 am EDT at First United Methodist Church in Port St. Joe with Rev. Geoffrey Lentz officiating. Interment will follow at Holly Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be Sunday, April 3, 2016, from 4-6 pm EDT at FUMC in Port St. Joe.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the First United Methodist Church Building Fund, 1001 Constitution Dr., Port St. Joe, FL 32456.