Promoted to Glory: Lt. Colonel Martha Mothershed

Lt. Colonel Martha Mothershed was Promoted To Glory from her home in Lilburn, Georgia on November 7, 2022, after a very lengthy illness. She was 81 years old.

Martha Suarez was born on March 5, 1941, in Santiago de Cuba to Moises and Ernestina Suarez, Salvation Army Officers serving in that island nation. She often spoke of the Children's Home her parents were appointment to as a highlight of her childhood. While living in the Children's Home she served as the pharmacist, even as young as 12 years of age. Martha learned her work ethic, love for God, and love for the Army from her parents. It was also at that tender age that Martha felt called to someday become a Salvation Army Officer.

With the rise of Castro in Cuba, Colonel Moises Suarez found a way to get 18 year-old Martha out of Cuba, and to the safety of the United States joining her sister, Miriam, in Tampa, Florida. Once there, Doris Musgrave took Martha under her wing, opening her heart and her home to become her "adopted mother." Martha learned more than English from Doris—particularly the gifts of hospitality, hard work, and a love for cooking.

While she was attending the Tampa Corps, she met her future husband, David Mothershed. They married on August 2, 1961.

Martha and David Mothershed entered the Evangeline Booth College in 1975 as members of the Companions Of Christ session of cadets. Upon commissioning in 1977, the Mothersheds served as corps officers in Sand Springs, Oklahoma and Melbourne, Florida. Subsequent divisional staff appointments came in Florida, Georgia, and Texas. In the years leading up to retirement, she directed the Conference Center at Territorial Headquarters in Atlanta.

In giving her testimony she stated, "Many years have passed and many different experiences; but I am sure I will not be satisfied until I can help those in need, whether it be soup, soap, or salvation."

Lt. Colonel Martha Mothershed is preceded in death by her parents, Lt. Colonels Moises and Ernestina Suarez; son, David R. Mothershed, Jr.; and brother, Moises Suarez.

She is survived by her husband of 61 years, Lt. Colonel David Mothershed; daughters, Deanna (Tommy) Aaron, and Tina (Greg)Sjogren; nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. She also leaves behind her sister, Major Miriam Musgrave; brother, Josue (Shirley) Suarez; and many nieces and nephews.

A Celebration Of Life will be held at the Atlanta Temple Corps on November 17, 2022, at 1:00 pm.

—Major Frank Duracher