Martha Erskine Lauderdale Heinsohn was born on Oct. 10, 1931, in the dining room of her family home at 117 Houston St. in Lexington. 

Youngest of six and last surviving child of the Rev. David Thomas and Sallie Chapman Lauderdale, little Martha grew up in a home filled with faith in Jesus Christ. Her oldest brother said early on “Martha will persevere,” and that she did through a childhood and youth marked by the Great Depression and World War II. She maintained a lifelong careful stewardship of and deep appreciation for every blessing of this life, big or small. 

On Oct. 26 of her senior year at Erskine College she eloped with the love of her life, Jack Farnam Heinsohn Sr. Happily receiving this news, her father turned to his new son-in-law and said, “Well, Brother Jack, I hope you like peanut butter sandwiches.”

After graduation she began her calling as pastor’s wife and eventually as mother of five. Her kindness, gentleness, attentive ear, genuine interest in others before herself, winsome sense of humor, memory of every detail of anyone she met, perfect pitch and smooth alto voice, unwavering commitment to the Gospel, and her steady love, support and cherishing of her dynamic husband made her deeply beloved and a quintessential pastor’s wife. 

As they moved to a variety of pastoral callings in North and South Carolina, Pennsylvania and Los Angeles, Martha’s consistent Christian love was a bedrock of the home and the churches where she served tirelessly. 

A highlight of her ministries was her time at Bethel Haven Women’s Shelter in Los Angeles where she was responsible for receiving women and families in crisis, arranging for their physical and emotional needs, leading Bible studies and simply being a caring attentive friend – a “title” she carried with humility and distinction throughout her life. 

She was a voracious reader and particularly enjoyed George MacDonald, C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkein, P.G. Wodehouse and Dorothy Sayers. She also wrote loving letters and cards to her many loved ones on all special occasions. 

She was remarkably sharp and healthy for 93 years, perhaps due in part to her ahead-of-the-times practice of vitamin supplementation and health foods, though she sweetly relented once when her sign-waving, pot-banging kids staged a “We Want Steak!” dinner protest. 

Martha peacefully “went on ahead” to her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Feb. 10, 2025, in Rock Hill, S.C., and to a sweet long-awaited reunion with her husband, parents, siblings and countless other family and friends.

She is deeply missed and cherished by her children: Pat Heinsohn of Gallup, N.M, Walter Heinsohn (Sue) of Fort Mill, S.C., Amy McClain (Brian) of Scottsdale, Ariz., the Rev. Jack Heinsohn Jr. (Jennie) of Blythewood, S.C., and Eric Heinsohn (Rosy) of Charlottesville; 13 grandchildren, 29 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by two great-grandchildren, Rachel Murphy and Michael Blackmon.

A memorial service will be held at the church her father founded, Lauderdale Associate Reformed Presbyterian in Lexington, at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 26, followed by a graveside service. All are welcome.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Lauderdale ARP Church, 300 S. Main St., Lexington, VA 24450.