Martha Ann Burnet Carlisle was born July 9, 1937 in Ware Shoals, South Carolina to the late Arthur Lining Burnet and Martha McCowan Burnet, and passed away on January 5, 2015 at Arbor Acres in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Martha graduated from Grimsley High School in Greensboro in 1955. She attended Sweetbriar College and graduated from Converse College in 1958. She met the love of her life, Robert (Bob) Marsden Carlisle, Jr., at a party in Spartanburg, South Carolina in 1956, and they decided to get engaged that night leading to 51 years of marriage.
Martha’s many talents included raising her two children, serving as an inspiration for her grandchildren, serving as the head of development at Salem College and managing the charitable funds department at Wachovia Bank, leading political campaigns, and serving as an elder of First Presbyterian Church and as treasurer of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. She had numerous devoted friends who valued her wit, spunk, class, intellect, warmth, and devotion to family, as well as her card playing skills. Her children and grandchildren will always treasure and be guided by Martha’s “Rules to Live By” which included, “if your world is falling apart and life as you have enjoyed it is quickly crumbling, Buck Up!” Martha was an active volunteer in the church and the community, and she enjoyed the fellowship of the “No-Name Book Club”, her bridge groups and garden clubs. Bob and Martha loved to travel, and they visited six continents and most of the 50 states. Her children, their spouses and the grandchildren will treasure trips with “Marti” as well as extended visits to her and Bob’s home. Martha battled Parkinson’s Disease for a number of years, and she challenged her illness as she lived her life – with determination, grit, and a great sense of humor. Her only lament was that it ultimately curtailed her ability to drive and care for friends. She has set the bar high for all of us. Martha was preceded in death by her husband, Bob. Martha is survived by Robert Marsden Carlisle III, his wife, Asele Carlisle of Charlotte and their daughter Sophie Carlisle, and by Burnet Carlisle Tucker and her husband, Campbell Tucker of Charlotte, and their children, Carley Tucker and Sarah Campbell Tucker, and by her brothers, Alex Burnet, Lining Burnet and Duncan Burnet. The family is especially appreciative of the care provided to Martha by Sarah Millaway, the staffs of Piedmont Home Health and Arbor Acres and by the support of Martha’s numerous friends.
A memorial service to celebrate Martha’s life will be held on January 10, 2015 at 11:30 am at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church with John Shields officiating. The family will receive visitors in the fellowship hall following the service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to University of North Carolina School of the Arts in Winston-Salem or to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Winston-Salem. Online condolences may be made through www.salemfh.com.
