Obituary of Phyllis Shedd Martin

Phyllis Shedd Martin, of Burlington, formerly of Woburn, passed away on Saturday morning, February 3, 2024. She was 90 years of age. Born in Totora, Bolivia on December 6, 1933, she was the daughter of Leslie and Della Shedd who were serving as Baptist missionaries in Bolivia. She spent her early childhood in Bolivia and then moved to the United States at the age of twelve to attend boarding schools in North Carolina. Phyllis received her bachelor’s degree at Columbia Bible College in Columbia, SC in 1956. This is where she met and married her husband, the late Raymond E. Martin. She and Raymond moved to Massachusetts in 1959 and purchased a home in Woburn in 1964 where they raised their family. Phyllis lived in Woburn for 54 years. Phyllis spent her years serving her church, Grace Chapel, the community of Lexington Christian Academy, where she spent many years working in the school library, and her family. Her loving attention reached so many through Pioneer Girls, Joy Bible Study, Nursing Home ministries, support of the homebound, international students, and closest to her heart, overseas missions. A nurse at her assisted living facility testified that even in Phyllis’ faltering health she was ministering to people through her smile and peaceful demeanor. She leaves behind son, Stephen Earl Martin and his wife Jane of Arlington, daughter, Melody Martin Fottler and her husband Bruce of Chelmsford, and daughter Sherry Martin Murphy and her husband Michael of Clifton, VA. She also leaves behind her grandchildren, Kristina Martin Lock and her husband Charles, David Martin, Sarah Murphy, Jacob Fottler, Brian Murphy, Drew Fottler, Brendan Murphy, Molly Murphy, Kathleen Murphy; and two great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Raymond E. Martin Scholarship Fund at Lexington Christian Academy, 48 Bartlett Avenue, Lexington, MA 02420. A memorial service is being planned for June 2024 at Grace Chapel in Lexington, MA. Arrangements by the Graham Funeral Home, Woburn.