Martha Nell "Boots" Ash

Martha Nell “Boots” Sloan Ash, age 87, of Powder Springs, passed away on January 5, 2025. 

She was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, Dr. James Wade Ash, parents, Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Crayte Sloan, daughter, Barbara Ruth Ash, sister Mary Sloan Stepp, brothers Benjamin Sloan, Jr. and Robert Sloan, and sons-in-law Tom Bell and Danny Carney. 

 Survivors include daughters Mary Ash Rhodes (Barry), Rebecca Ash-Allen (Chuck), Susan Bell Coker (Mark), grandchildren Jamie Rhodes Williams (David), Julie Bell Rhetts (Adrian), Stephanie Rhodes Foreman (Patrick), great-grandchildren Julian Rhetts and Evan Rhetts, sisters-in-law, Alice Ash and Marie Ash, and several nieces and nephews.

 Boots was born on August 6, 1937, in Bartow County, GA. She graduated as the Valedictorian from Cassville High School in 1955. She continued her education at North Georgia College in Dahlonega, GA, where she met the love of her life, Wade, in the post office on campus. After graduation, Boots began her career as an educator in Dahlonega, GA but left teaching after a few years to raise four daughters. Upon moving to Powder Springs, she returned to the classroom for Cobb County Schools. Boots retired in 1995 after having served 26 years with the school district. 

 Boots was very involved as a member of First Baptist Church, Powder Springs, GA. She served on many committees, sang in the choir, assisted with Vacation Bible School, and taught Sunday School classes. Boots was proud to have been the first woman to serve on a pulpit committee for the church. 

Boots and Wade were avid travelers. Their travels carried them to six continents. They visited all 50 states and made many trips to Europe with family. To celebrate fifty years of marriage, they went to Australia and New Zealand. In addition to traveling around the world, they sailed on cruises in the Irish, Caribbean, Mediterranean and North Seas, Panama Canal, Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. 

 Cooking, reading, watching British TV shows, and working puzzles were a prominent part of Boots’ interests. Her greatest joy was spending quality time with her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, extended family members, and friends. Boots’ impact on the community of Powder Springs was far reaching. Her legacy will be cherished by many for years to come. 

 West Cobb Funeral Home, Marietta, GA, is in charge of arrangements.

 The family will receive friends on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 from 2pm until 4pm and 6pm until 8pm at West Cobb Funeral Home and Crematory in Marietta. She will lie in state on Thursday, January 9th from 10am until 11am, with a funeral service starting at 11am at the First Baptist Church of Powder Springs. She will be laid to rest after the service at Cassville Cemetery. The service will be live streamed over the church’s website at www.fbcps.org. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the National Brain Tumor Society.