Martha Hagler, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, teacher, and friend, passed away peacefully on September 14, 2026, in Lawrenceville, Georgia, where she had been living in a memory care community near her son and his family.

Martha was born January 4, 1944, in Jumpertown, Mississippi. She grew up in the Jumpertown community and attended Mississippi State College for Women (MSCW), where she earned a degree in elementary education. She carried her love of children and education into a career as a fifth-grade teacher at Nan Gray Davis Elementary School in Mobile County, Alabama, where she positively impacted the lives of her students.

Martha met her husband, Roger Ellis Hagler, while living in Cocoa Beach, Florida, where Roger was working in the U.S. space program. Their meeting began a lifelong partnership, and they were married in 1969. The newlyweds moved to Detroit, Michigan, where they began their family and welcomed their two sons, Kevin and Mark.

In 1975, Martha and Roger moved with their young family to Mobile, Alabama, which remained their home for nearly five decades. Together they built a life centered around family, friendships, travel, and shared experiences.

Martha was fortunate to have a large and loving circle of friends. Some friendships began during her years at MSCW and lasted throughout her life. Others came through her teaching career and through Roger's colleagues and their families. These friendships brought Martha great joy. She and her friends looked forward to their monthly birthday lunches, shopping trips, Christmas cookie exchanges, and travels together. The friendships she formed were enduring and treasured, and she remained deeply connected to many of these women throughout her life.

Martha was an avid reader with a wonderfully curious mind. She maintained an extensive and eclectic collection of books, which she happily traded back and forth with friends. It was not unusual for her to have several books earmarked and in progress at the same time. Her love of reading reflected her lifelong curiosity and her enjoyment of learning something new.

Martha and Roger also shared a love of travel. Together they traveled extensively throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe, discovering new places and making memories and friends along the way. During their retirement years, they especially enjoyed cruising. They often talked about the places they still hoped to see and wished they had more time to explore the world.

Above all, Martha cherished her family. She was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, and took great pride in her family. Roger preceded her in death in 2023, as did their younger son, Mark, in 1994. Martha is survived by her son, Kevin Hagler; daughter-in-law, Anne Hagler; grandson, Brendon Hagler; and sister, Joyce Green.

A Memorial Service celebrating Martha's life will be held at Mobile Memorial Gardens Funeral Home, 6040 Three Notch Road, Mobile, Alabama 36619, on September 26, 2026. Visitation will be from 1:00 PM until the 2:00 PM memorial time.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Martha's memory to the Alzheimer's Association at alz.org

Martha will be remembered for the love she gave her family, her dedication to the children she taught, the friendships she nurtured over many decades, and her love of books and learning. She leaves behind a lifetime of friendships, adventures, stories, and memories that will continue to bring joy to all who knew and loved her.