Martha Goebel Varner

Martha Ellen Varner, a mother and friend to all she met along the way, passed away February 13, 2018. She leaves behind her a beautiful legacy of service to not only family and friends but to the community at large.

Born to Warren P. Goebel and Elizabeth Larson on June 3, 1939. She grew up mainly in Buffalo and Orchard Park, NY but had adventures living from Washington State to Marietta, GA where she officially became a “Suzzner”. This beautiful Northern Belle met and married her Southern Gentleman (Roy “R.W.” Varner) in Chattanooga on 2/20/1965. They had three sons (Robert, Christopher, and John (who passed too soon)). She added two wonderful daughters (Keri and Christie) when her sons married. She became “Dibby” when she was soon blessed with 4 incredible granddaughters (Hannah, Flynn, Kate, and Riley). These were her immediate family, but she treated all those who came into her life as extensions of this family. From her sons’ friends over the years, collegiate wrestlers from across the country, a few Olympic wrestlers along the way, to neighbors, friends, and extended family, she was a Mom to all.

She was a Sunday school teacher at Trinity Woodmore United Methodist Church and was in charge of their mother’s day out program where she was known as Ms Marty. She assisted as needed and kept the books for Doctor’s Vance and Stafford. Between these duties and raising a family, she always found time to volunteer at her sons’ schools with nursing, fundraisers, parades, sports, and nearly anything she was asked to help with. It was a rare event if she ever missed one of her sons sporting events or school programs. Marty and Roy were integral in organizing and assisting with the TSSAA tournament when it was held in Chattanooga.

Marty and Roy also supported the wrestling community from the high school, college, national, and international levels for over 40 years. They were Mom and Dad to any wrestler needing support and organized and assisted with numerous wrestling tournaments (including TSSAA state tournaments, the Southern Conference championship, two World Cup events (1993, 1995) and USA Wrestling training camps prior to the 1995 World Championship and the 1996 Olympics). Their support was recognized when they were inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame on March 2, 2012. These accomplishments are even more remarkable seeing as both sons were avid soccer players and never wrestled.

She is now with her heavenly father and is enjoying the company of her Mom, Dad, son John and those family and friends that have gone before her. A beautiful, brilliant light has been added to the heavens and will be missed by all that have had the opportunity to have known her.

Marty is survived by her husband of 53 years Royal “R.W.” Varner, her son Rob and his wife Keri, granddaughters Flynn and Kate, her son Chris and his wife Christie, granddaughters Hannah and Riley, her brother Peter and his wife Luanne and their children Amanda, Adam, and Adrienne and their families. She is also survived by her brother in law Frank and sister in law Janette and their families and her lifelong friend and fellow troublemaker Barb and her husband Dave and their family. She was blessed to be mom to so many extraordinary people over the years but she always held a special place for Jessica and Cody, Michael Mirabella and his family, and Chip Hassler and his family. I would name all those who were special to Marty, but the list would be never-ending like the love of her family for her has been over these many years. She may be gone from this mortal coil, but she will never be forgotten. Her love and legacy live in all those who were blessed by her light.


Local Visitation: Saturday February 17, 4 to 7 pm, Chattanooga Funeral Home, 404 S. Moore Rd, East Ridge, TN 37412
South Carolina Visitation and Service: Monday February 19, 12 to 2 pm, Russell Funeral Chapel, 107 W. Main St. Moncks Corner, SC 29461. Burial will be in Rudd Branch Cemetery in Summerville, SC.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to Rudd Branch Cemetery care of Peggy Welch Baker Treasurer, 3304 Pinewood Dr. Ladson, SC 29456.