Martha Raye Roberts

In 1951, a beautiful young girl named Martha Scritchfield met Wayne Roberts, a sailor from Charlotte Harbor, FL. Wayne would say many years later, “I fell in love the first moment I saw her.” Though their connection was undeniable, Wayne was in the Navy and was being deployed to Guam, after serving in the Korean War, so they agreed to be pen pals. For the next 2 and a half years they would correspond through letters, and in one such letter Wayne sent Martha a ring that he purchased while in Guam and asked her to be his wife. She said yes. The pair married October 9, 1954, and would go on to build a beautiful life together and leave a legacy of love, faith, and family.

On October 9, 2024, their 70th wedding anniversary, Martha Raye Roberts, age 85 of Lake Butler, was welcomed into eternity by her two great loves – Jesus and her beloved husband Wayne, who undoubtedly was joined also by their son Guy Wayne and grandchild, Elias.

Martha was born September 10, 1939, in Marysville, CA to James Henry and Lou Rena Scritchfield and was the youngest of nine siblings. Martha spent her childhood and early adulthood in California until she and Wayne moved to Lake Butler, FL in 1974, where they have called home since.

Martha retired as a nurse for UCI after 20 years and devoted her time to family. Martha and Wayne were passionate about sharing the love of Jesus, pastoring several churches over the years and ministering all over the country.

Martha was the true definition of a matriarch. She cared deeply for her family and was the embodiment of unconditional love. She and Wayne made it a priority to always be present in the lives of their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. No one left Martha’s house hungry, ever. She loved to cook, just ask any of her family and they will tell you that she was the world’s best in the kitchen.

 Anywhere they went Martha was asked to sing. She loved gospel music and Wayne made sure she always had a song from her repertoire ready to sing at a moment’s notice. He loved to hear her sing and joyously smiled with tear-filled eyes every time she ministered in song. Martha’s love of music and singing still echos throughout her family today and is part of the amazing legacy she leaves behind.

 Martha is preceded in death by her parents James Henry and Lou Rena Scrithfield; her in-laws, Thomas and Cecil Roberts; her siblings, Rena, Margaret, Audrey, Jesse, Joanne, Jim, Paul, and Johnny; her son Guy Wayne; and grandson, Elias Thomas.

 Martha leaves behind a legacy in her family; children, Kim (Bill) Thomas, Tony (Dawn) Roberts, Gary (Trina) Roberts, and Marlena (Rob) Jarvis; grandchildren, Jennifer, Ben, Dustin, Tabatha, Kendice, Tianna, Kayla, Robby, and Keaton; great-grandchildren, Cole, Hayden, Jackson, Olivia, Reagan, Carsen, Gavin, Malachi, Mason, Talia, Eli, Evan, Emmit, Easton, Matthias, Edyn, Honor, Shepherd, Keldon, Aiden, Zailey, Zoe, Enzley, and Slade.

 A service to honor Martha’s life will be held at 10:00am on Thursday, October 17th at Culture House Church, 16045 SE 71st Trial, Lake Butler. The family will receive friends for a visitation from 5:00pm to 7:00pm on Wednesday, October 16th at Archer-Milton Funeral Home. Martha will be laid to rest with her beloved husband, Wayne, at Jacksonville National Cemetery at 1:30pm following the service. The family request friends to wear purple or lavender in honor of Martha. Archer-Milton Funeral Home is honored to once again serve the Roberts family. 386-496-2008 www.archerfuneralhome.com In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association. www.alz.org