Martha Pridgen

April 12, 1939 - December 21, 2018
Martha Pridgen

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Martha Lumbard Pridgen, 79, died, in a spirit of peace, on December 21, 2018, after a period of declining health.

Marty was born in Greenfield, Mass., on April 12, 1939. She was the daughter of Virginia Renter Lumbard and George Spooner Lumbard. She grew up in Northern Virginia. Marty was a graduate of George Washington High School in Alexandria, Va., and of Duke University (1961). She attended the Church of the Servant in Wilmington. She was a strong advocate for racial and gender equity and a Democratic party activist.

Marty served two years as an early Peace Corps Volunteer in Rajburi, Thailand, in the early 1960’s. In 1998, she returned to Wilmington, where she had raised her children, to retire after a lengthy career with the U.S. Congress in Washington.

She was preceded in death by her parents and by a beloved sister, Susan L. Shryock. Survivors include her children, Alexander Spiro Pridgen (Gena) of Lottsburg, Va. and Leslie Susan Pridgen (Eddie) of Wilmington; a brother, George Renter Lumbard (Jan) of Denver; four grandchildren, Jaime Pridgen Scarmeas (Nicholas), Anna Gray Pridgen, Nicole S. Silvers, and Christopher Suplee; five great-grandchildren; two special nephews, Richard Shryock (Hillary), and Jamie Shryock (Angie); a dear daughter-in-law, Adriana M. Pridgen; and her one-time husband and long-time friend, Terry Gray Pridgen.

Marty was the bulwark of her entire extensive family.

A memorial service is scheduled for 11 a.m. on Saturday, January 5, 2019, at the Church of the Servant, 4925 Oriole Dr., Wilmington.

In lieu of flowers, Marty would wish for her friends to dig in their gardens, plant a tree, or take a long walk on the beach.

Share memories and condolences with the family by clicking on the “Condolence” tab.

Wilmington Funeral & Cremation 1535 S. 41st Street, Wilmington, NC 28403 910-791-9099


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  • December 24, 2018
    Derek and Janis Harris says:
    Fondest conversations and memories of Marty, Derek and I hold your family in our hearts!

  • December 24, 2018
    P Davis says:
    My heartfelt sympathy for your loss. May you find comfort in family, friends and prayer and the God of all comfort Jehovah and his promise to restore life to all those in his memory who have fallen asleep in death through his beloved son Jesus Christ. May you look forward to the resurrection and the time when God will erase sickness and death forever, 2 Corinthians 1:3, 4, John 5:28, 29 and Revelation 21:3, 4. See www.jw.org to learn more about God's promise for the future.

  • December 26, 2018
    Wendy Turrentine says:
    My prayers are with you and your family.

  • December 26, 2018
    Lisa Shipp Register says:
    So sorry for your loss Leslie, Alex and family. Sending prayers during this difficult time.

  • December 28, 2018
    Teresa Elmore says:
    Leslie, Alex, Skip, Terry and family, I am very sorry and heartbroken to read of Marty's passing. She was a very kind and special friend. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.