Notes for: Martha Mae Wanless

In the early 1970's, Martha loved beginning to work for her father in his towing business, Central Towing, being one of the first female tow truck operators in the area. She was passionately committed to the Lewis County School System for 43 years, first as a classroom teacher at Jane Lew Junior High and then as Librarian for Lewis County High School, until cancer forced her to retire in 2011. She was President of the Lewis County Teachers Association for many years and a faithful member of the West Virginia Education Association as well as the National Education Association. She also loved teaching college night classes for first, Glenville State College, then Fairmont State College and finally Pierpont Community and Technical College. She served on the Louis Bennett Public Library Board for many years, as well as the Stonewall Jackson Heritage Arts and Crafts Jubilee. She held several offices in Lewis County Homemakers Association and was also a respected member of the Weston Business and Professional Women and the Lewis County Boot and Saddle Club. She performed for a while as a Professional Folk Art Story Teller, was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Weston, and her cooking skills were often referred to as "the Paula Deen of Jane Lew."