Remembering Martha Taylor
Martha Greene Taylor, Cross Junction, Va., died Jan. 19. A longtime member of OOIDA’s Scholarship Committee and wife of Director Emeritus John C. Taylor, she was 86.
Martha was born June 6, 1935, in Winchester, Va. At age 15, she caught the eye of a young man named John Taylor, who proclaimed on the spot “that’s the girl I’m going to marry.” The pair dated for several years and married on Jan. 30, 1955. John had been driving a pulp wood truck as a summer job since he was 13, so Martha always said she knew what to expect as a trucker’s wife.
John’s professional path led him to a life career of over-the-road trucking. Martha took a job at the F&M Bank in Winchester for 10 years. Then she partnered with her sister, Becky Miller (now deceased), to operate Mar-Bec bookkeeping and truck permitting service for 10 years. John was often on the road for two to three weeks at a time. Martha accompanied him in the truck from time to time, but for the most part she immersed herself in the community, home and family. Sports, the activities of her kids (and their kids), bowling, baking, reading, birdwatching – Martha, aka “Mimi,” enthusiastically embraced her life.
John joined the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association in the early 1980s and was elected to the Board of Directors in 1992. Martha joined, too, accompanying John twice a year to meetings to the group’s headquarters in Grain Valley, Mo.
“Until they retired, I don’t remember a board meeting that Martha was not seated in the room, usually right behind John,” says former Land Line Editor Sandi Soendker, now serving as OOIDA’s historian. “Hands folded, ankles crossed, taking it all in.
Land Line reporters learned which way the wind blew on critical trucking issues discussed in those meetings by her reactions. Her expressions, reactions, nods, frowns – every new reporter was taught to watch Martha Taylor’s face.”
The OOIDA Scholarship Committee was established and held its first meeting in 1998. John was an original member. Martha replaced John on the committee in the spring of 2003. John is now retired from trucking but remains an active member on the OOIDA Board as director emeritus. Martha was still serving on the scholarship selection committee at the time of her death.
John is quick to give credit to Martha for his exemplary career and their success in trucking. He says with so much time away from home, the key to success in the trucking business is having the right partner. He and Martha would have celebrated their 67th anniversary on Jan. 30.
“Her warm and sincere friendship, support, loyalty and dependable participation will be remembered as a significant part of the OOIDA trucking community,” said OOIDA President Todd Spencer. “If ever there was a board matriarch, it was Martha Taylor.”
Martha is survived by her husband John, their children James E. Taylor, Carol L. Taylor, Christine E. Taylor, all of Cross Junction, Va.; granddaughter Ann Marie Taylor of Winchester, Va.; great-grandchildren Athan M. Taylor and Avelyn R. Taylor Sperry, both of Winchester; brothers David A. Greene Sr. (Barbara) of Elkton, Va., and Douglas G. Greene (Terry) of Stephens City, Va.; as well as many cousins, nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. LL