Martha Jean Leihgeber Becker's Obituary
Martha Jean Leihgeber Becker, 85, of Memphis TN passed away April 28, 2023. Marti was born June 29,1937 to the late Lorin D. and Katherine E. Leihgeber in Youngstown, Ohio. She was preceded in death by her sister Katherine L. Leihgeber and her husband Philip M. Becker.
She is survived by her daughter Mary Jeanne (MJ) Masters (Brian). Marti graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University (’59) with a Bachelor’s degree in Religion. While in State College, PA she was the secretary for Krislund Camp and Conference Center for 17 years. In Memphis, she worked as a secretary for the YMCA for 6 years before finishing the last 15 years of her career as an administrative assistant in the Alumni Office of Rhodes College.
Marti loved singing. In addition to singing in the church choir throughout her life, she sang with the State College Opera Society, State College Choral Society, and was a 30-year member of Sweet Adelines, International while singing with the Memphis City Sound Chorus. She took voice lessons while in college, in State College, and in Memphis. After her retirement, she also enjoyed Etude, a music club, for 20 years.
Marti and Phil joined Evergreen Presbyterian Church in October 1981 after Phil joined the chemical Engineering faculty at Christian Brothers College. Marti was already in her choir robe.
While she was working in Memphis, she served on multiple committees of the church, the Presbytery and Sweet Adelines. She served on the Pinecrest Camp and Retreat Center for 15 years.
After retirement, Marti increased her commitment to serving the church. She served as Clerk of Session (the Church’s governing body) for 20 years. During that time, she served as moderator of Presbytery, as moderator of Presbyterian Women, on the board of Mission Haven, on the Johnson Auxiliary, and on committees of Presbytery, Presbyterian Women and Synod. At the time of her death, she was still actively serving on many of these committees.
Her memorial service is planned for 11:00 am July 1, 2023 at First Presbyterian Church at 166 Poplar in downtown Memphis. A reception will follow the service for visitation. Contributions in her memory may be given to Evergreen Presbyterian Church (1567 Overton Park Ave, Memphis, TN 38112), Rhodes College (2000 N Parkway, Memphis, TN 38112), or Ohio Wesleyan University (61 S Sandusky St, Delaware, OH 43015).
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