Martha Louise (Kerr) Sprout, 97, of Columbus, passed away on August 22, 2022. She was born on July 24, 1925, in New Concord, Ohio, to the late Harry and Evelyn (Porter) Kerr. In addition to her parents, Martha was preceded in death by her husband, Leland E. Sprout; her brother, William Kerr; and her sister-in-law Mary Kerr.

Martha grew up in Wayne County before attending Muskingum University. That is where she met her husband, Leland, while serving dinner at the school cafeteria. As Martha recalled, she was instantly drawn to Leland by his humor and charisma.

Martha lived a long life with many acts.

She was a wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, consistently showing patience, acceptance, tolerance, and – above all else – love to her family.

She was an educator, teaching in the Worthington City School District for 25 years, spending most of her career at Colonial Hills Elementary School.

She was a world traveler, spanning the globe and collecting hundreds of pictures during her adventures to many countries. That includes fulfilling a childhood dream of seeing the “Three Wise Monkeys” statue in Japan.

She was a devoted Christian, sharing her love of God with others, through services at Worthington United Methodist Church and Grace Church of Christ, and through volunteering in various places including at St. Ann’s Hospital.

Martha lived in Worthington for 68 years, most of which was spent in a home that became a treasure chest of memories. It was where Martha raised her two children and played endlessly with her grandchildren. Her grandchildren saw her as a source of warm, unconditional love, and a harbor of comfort that never wavered.

For Martha, foundational memories never faded. Certain things would always bring a smile to her face: the sound of her children’s names, pictures of Fairbanks, Alaska (her “favorite place on Earth”), the singing of Hymns, and interacting with family and friends.

In her final days, she never let go of the things that truly mattered. Not just the life she lived, but the people she loved along the way.

Martha will be greatly missed by her children, Janette (Joel) Chow and Timothy L. (Pam) Sprout; grandchildren, David M. (Jessica) Chow, Amanda L. Chow, J. Andrew (Vanessa) Chow, John T. Bolds, and Kate Sprout; great grandchildren, Taylor and Aurora Kamrath, and Naomi, Felicity, and Isaiah Chow; dear friend, Mary Wetterauer; and numerous extended family and close family friends.