Martha Mary (Hildebrand) Bauer, age 100, of Lexington and formerly of Mount Gilead, passed away peacefully on Tuesday evening, August 11, 2026, at Lexington Court Care Center.
On July 1, 1926, Martha was born in Bucyrus, Ohio, the daughter of the late Florenz Edward and Selma A. (Yaussy) Hildebrand.
A woman of faith, Martha was a longtime member of Boundary United Methodist Church in Edison. She faithfully read her Bible and spent time each day in devotionals.
Above all else, Martha lived for her family. As a single mother, she devoted herself to raising her three children and was always there to support them. She rarely missed a school function or activity. Martha also had a caring heart for those around her and often babysat neighborhood children, with Steve Smotherman holding a special place in her heart. For many years, she lovingly cared for her father as well.
In her quieter moments, Martha enjoyed doing word search puzzles, playing Bingo, and sharing her musical talents on the piano and organ. She will be remembered as a sweet lady with a big heart.
Left to cherish Martha’s memory are her children, Ruth A. Cook of Mount Gilead, Kathleen E. Perry of Mansfield, and Clarence Edward (Mashell) Bauer of Palm Desert, California; her grandchildren, Aaron (Jessica) Bauer of Palm Desert, California, Anne (Andrew Buderi) Bauer of Malden, Massachusetts, Douglas Cook of Mansfield, and Daniel (Maryssa) Cook of Centerburg; and her great-grandchildren, Vincent Cook, Liam Cook, and Lilyanna Cook.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her infant son, Robert M. Bauer; her son-in-law, David Cook; her siblings, Ruth Witter, John Hildebrand, Esther Witter and Sarah Hildebrand; her nieces, Mary Witter Bloomfield and Sharon Webb; and her nephew, Richard Bauer.
A graveside service to honor and celebrate Martha’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, August 14, 2026, at Rivercliff Cemetery, 201 E. Marion St., Mount Gilead, with Pastor Steve Brenneman officiating.
Memorial contributions may be made in Martha’s memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Martha’s family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to the compassionate team at Southern Care Hospice for the exceptional care and comfort they provided to Martha and her family.
Snyder Funeral Homes of Mount Gilead is honored to have been chosen to serve Martha’s family. Special memories or condolences may be shared by visiting www.SnyderFuneralHomes.com.
Funeral Home: Snyder Funeral Homes, Mount Gilead Chapel
Website: www.snyderfuneralhomes.com