Martha "Marti" L Hooten

Martha “Marti” L. Hooten, 54, of Columbia, passed away peacefully at her home on Sunday, November 25, 2018. Born September 7, 1964 in Charleston, SC, she was a daughter of the late Arthur Eugene Limehouse and Mary Doar Boyle Limehouse.

An active member of St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, Marti was strong in her faith, family, community, and love for Clemson. Marti was a true people person, never meeting a stranger, and upon retiring in 2017, after 28 and a half years as an elementary teacher in Summerville, SC, and Columbia, it was nearly impossible for her to encounter a stranger.

A Summerville High School graduate, Marti went on to earn her Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Education from Columbia College. She also received her National Board Certification on her first attempt. Marti was passionate about teaching, which led her to be an effective mentor to many, especially to new and upcoming teachers. Marti was known to share her classroom resources with colleagues without hesitation. Intrigued by technology and “how things worked”, she was excited about and thrived on programs adopted by Leaphart Elementary, such as STEM and SchoolsNext. Outside of school, Marti taught Sunday school for a number of years at her church in Summerville, then later at St. Mary’s. Marti measured her accomplishments by a student at a time.

However, Marti’s most cherished accomplishment was her family. She was their biggest fan; in and out of the classroom, on a sports field, or during a military deployment. Marti loved her family and was a devoted wife, mother, MaMa, sister, aunt, and cousin.

She is survived by her loving husband, James G. Hooten; son James H. Hooten, II (Brandi); daughter Mary Ashley Kimrey (Kyle); grandsons Elias Kimrey and Jack Henry Hooten, III (arriving in the spring of 2019); brother Arthur Eugene Limehouse, Jr. (Marty); sisters Mary Doar Limehouse Rodrick (Don), Sallie Limehouse Cheatham (Ben); eight nieces; seven nephews; and numerous cousins; great nieces and nephews.

The Celebration of Life Mass for Martha “Marti” L. Hooten will be held 4 p.m., Thursday, November 29, 2018, at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, 171 St. Andrews Rd., Columbia, SC. The family will greet friends prior to the service beginning at 3 p.m. in Hospitality Hall. Interment will be held 11 a.m., Friday, November 30, 2018, at Ft. Jackson National Cemetery. The family would like to invite those attending to wear Clemson attire or colors. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to District Five Foundation, P.O. Box 129, Ballentine, SC, 29002. Barr-Price Funeral Home and Crematorium, Lexington Chapel is assisting the family.

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