Help Miss Martha replace her HVAC

Martha Hicks

I (Martha Anderson) have known Martha Hicks since 1980 when I joined the McCallie School family through Kemmer (Yogi) Anderson. She made the cafeteria a welcoming place with her smile and generosity.

Martha was born near Selma, Alabama, in 1936. She had to leave school after the first grade to work in the fields, hoeing, picking cotton, and gathering and shucking corn for feed.

She worked at McCallie from 1970 to 2011, retiring at the age of 75. She started in the dish room, and then served on the line; by the 90’s she was head line server.

Spencer McCallie sent her a letter in 1994 thanking her for her efficient and dedicated work. He wrote that it was her “positive spirit and warmth” that endeared her to the McCallie community.

Martha just had to have her heat/AC unit replaced as parts for the old one were not available. The bill is $4895. Martha has her own house and is working toward paying it off in about 9 years. Her loan will be through T.V.A.

Several members of the McCallie community have stayed in touch with Martha. She is such a kind and thoughtful friend.

We want to help Martha with this bill.

Hello, this is Vaughan Greene, I taught pottery at McCallie for a total of 22 years.

“Miss Martha” as she asked us to call her was a joy to see everyday at school, especially during the craziness of the lunch break. Martha continues to be such a warm, caring and joyful person. We have kept in touch and my birthdays would not be the same without a call from her singing me a rousing ‘Happy Birthday to you!’.

She has told me a bit about when she was young, dealing with cotton and milking cows in the Alabama sun. Years of hard work have contributed to major arthritis in her hands though she never complains. I can see the braces.

When I think of Martha I can hear her strong laugh and her wise words. She is the kind of person that is a comfort to everyone she meets.

Martha has a very limited income and needs our help with the HVAC situation. Given all she has done over the years, we want her to be comfortable and safe during our hot summers.