Marthell (McArtor) Peltz

Marthell Peltz - mother, grandmother, teacher, friend – passed away on April 25, 2024. She slipped away quietly at home, surrounded by her children. However, she lived a tremendously dynamic life that was anything but quiet.

Born to Ruby and Royal McArtor in 1927, Marthell moved around the country with her father’s Cities Service Oil Company jobs, growing up in Oklahoma, Indiana, Arkansas, and Louisiana. She attended McNeese State University and graduated from Louisiana State University, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Education.  She remained a lifelong LSU fan, avidly following the university’s sports teams and academic achievements. 

Marthell Peltz made an impact in this world as a mother and lifelong teacher to hundreds of children. She taught children of all ages, even training future teachers at San Francisco State University. In her 20s, she decided adventure was for her and got on a ship to Japan to become a teacher for the Department of Defense. It was there she met the love of her life, Karl, and they married before returning to the states. This was the beginning of a military life of travel that took them to Texas, Ohio, California, Louisiana, Germany, Virginia, Delaware, and Alabama. After their second trip to Germany, they settled in Lake Charles, Louisiana, Marthell’s family home. Her children followed in her footsteps, attending either LSU or McNeese.

In the 1980’s Marthell and Karl moved to Fayetteville, NC, to be closer to their children.  Marthell, ever the teacher, worked at Snyder Memorial Baptist Church’s Preschool teaching a generation of children, including her oldest granddaughter.

Marthell showered those around her with unwavering kindness, incredible patience, and a ready and willing listening ear. This included her six children, BG Karlynn Peltz O’Shaughnessy (John), Allison Peltz, Vicky Peltz Moon (Scott), Erica Finlay (Scott), Rev. Robert Peltz, and Jeff Peltz (Wendy). She is fondly remembered by her seven wonderful grandchildren, Kelly Nofsinger (Luke); Jackie O’Shaughnessy; Emma, Ethan, and Dylan Finlay; Chaska Moon; and Will Peltz. Marthell was very proud of the fact that Allison, Erica, Jackie, and Wendy also chose education as their profession.

Ultimately, Marthell passed on her own terms - she was at home and surrounded by family. She has moved on but will forever be in the hearts of the innumerable people she touched during her long life. Her memory is a blessing, and she is so very loved.

Online condolences may be left at http://www.jerniganwarren.com

Arrangements by Jernigan-Warren Funeral Home, 545 Ramsey St. Fayetteville, NC 28301. 

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