Martha Lynn Webb: A Volunteer Every Organization Would Love To Have

Martha Lynn’s early memories of Lady’s Island include having backyard ponies and riding them up and down Sams Point Road when there was next to no traffic. Her family spent weekends and summer times out at the fish camp on Pritchard’s Island where multiple families gathered to fish and play on the beach and socialize in the relaxed atmosphere of island living. “I remember ‘Zoo’ Van Harten and ‘Buddy’ Lubkin tending the cooking fire while smoking cigars, and wading out into the water to fish in their long khaki pants. I can still see them out there in the water, fishing, in those long pants.” As a girl who grew up on, and loved the water, The Water Festival was one of her favorite events as a child. “I was born at the same time as the Beaufort Water Festival, as I am reminded every time a new t-shirt comes out! So many dedicated volunteers work year round to make this such a great community event.”

A native daughter of Buck and Martha Morris, Martha Lynn Morris Webb was born at Beaufort Memorial Hospital and raised on Lady’s Island where she and husband, Charles, now reside. She has three brothers, Milledge, David and Robert, also in Beaufort. “Obviously we’ve been very happy here.”

When she attended Beaufort Elementary School, Martha Lynn recalls that all of the children from first through twelfth grades rode on one bus. The elementary students were dropped off first, then the junior high students, then the high school students, including her brothers, who drove the bus! “Our dad, who was affectionately called ‘Humble Buck,’ owned an Esso station where Beaufort Town Center now sits, and my brothers and I all had to work there. He taught us by example to work hard, play harder, and never meet a stranger.” In sixth grade, Martha Lynn transferred
to Beaufort Academy where she met her future husband Charles. She was working at Humble Buck’s Esso when he called her for their first date. “The rest is history,” she says. Martha Lynn and Charles both graduated from Clemson, where she was a cheerleader and majored in accounting.
They married shortly after graduation at St. Helena’s Parish Church in August 1975.

“We came back to Beaufort because we wanted to raise our children around family. My family was here, Charles’ family was here and that was important to us.” Upon their return, Martha Lynn was an accountant for Bill Robinson at Robinson, Grant & Co., P.A., working part time for the next 30 years.  Martha Lynn and Charles have four children, all of whom also graduated from Beaufort Academy. Now, son Milledge is manager of the Beaufort Yacht and Sailing Club; Charley is a teacher at Full Sail University in Florida; daughter Caroline Wreden is a veterinarian with Animal Medical Center of the Lowcountry on Lady’s Island, and their youngest daughter, Charmain is studying to be a physician’s assistant at the Medical University of South Carolina.

As Martha Lynn considers all the organizations with which she’s been involved, she surmises their common denominator. “I would guess that most all of our local charitable organizations were born of the dedication and selfless efforts of some one (or two) who saw a need and was passionate about finding a solution. When you become involved as a volunteer or board member, you are privileged to have a glimpse of that ‘passion’ and become a part of its ongoing success.”

“I seem to land in the treasurer’s spot. You gotta love those numbers! Even charities have to operate like a business or they won’t be around for long. I’ve served as treasurer for The Beaufort Academy, Friends of Nemours Wildlife Foundation, Episcopal Church Women of St. Helena, Friends of Caroline Hospice, Preservation Trust for Historic St. Helena’s Church, and have just recently agreed to serve as treasurer for Holy Trinity Classical Christian School.”

Although Martha Lynn demurs when asked if she has a favorite among her various volunteer activities, “How can you have a favorite when there are so many worthwhile organizations?” One that is dear to her heart is Friends of Caroline Hospice, an organization that finds her contributions invaluable as is evidenced by what Cheryl Comes, Co-Director, has to say. “Martha Lynn is the kind of volunteer that every organization would love to have. She is committed, passionate, smart and a hard worker. She is a wonderful volunteer manager but she never asks a volunteer to do a task that she wouldn’t do herself. Friends of Caroline Hospice is blessed with her talents, time and treasures.”

Martha Lynn became involved with Friends of Caroline Hospice when “Beverly Porter was serving as its second executive director. Beverly was only one generation away from that initial ‘passion’ that saw and met a need in our Beaufort community. I have to admit, I knew very little about hospice care seven years ago, but I’m a willing student. I’ve received a real education about hospice since I became involved. This past year we successfully applied to become a Medicare certified hospice which has allowed us to expand services. The first hospice in Beaufort, Friends of Caroline Hospice, is here today because of the dedicated passionate volunteers and support of our Beaufort community.”

Another organization that receives the benefit of the Webbs generosity is the Beaufort Memorial HospitalFoundation which provides a nice full circle since they were both born in that hospital, as were all of their children. Martha Lynn and Charles have hosted many dinner parties for the annual Valentine’s Ball fundraiser, as well as being an integral part of the Duke Symphony Orchestra concerts that also benefit the Foundation.

With an extensive list of volunteer activities to her credit, Martha Lynn acknowledges her contributions with practicality and grace. “We love Beaufort and I enjoy being involved with the community. One of the wonderful things about Beaufort is the number of people who volunteer. We
are fortunate to have people come here who are retired and have skills that they are willing to share. Everyone feels so blessed to be here, that’s what makes it so easy.”

With a sparkle in her eye and clearly boundless energy, Martha Lynn reflects on their life at this stage of the game. “Now that Charles and I are retired and empty-nesters, living in Beaufort affords us the opportunity to volunteer with various organizations as well as enjoy our beloved
hobbies such as exercise classes at the YMCA, boating, Temple of Sport, going out to the fish camp at Pritchard’s Island, and Bible study.

We love to spend time with our friends, family, and grandchildren; and I also enjoy gardening and trying to eat healthy. My two horses, Pee Wee and Markie, are inherited from my daughter and I still love riding as much as I did as a child.”  Martha Lynn is clearly a product of her Lowcountry environment, who has flourished where she was planted, and whose generosity nourishes the next generation.

Story by MARY ELLEN THOMPSON • Photography by PAUL NURNBERG