Obituary: Martha Lee Pulley

Martha Lee Pulley, age 96 of Oxford, died peacefully on Nov. 26, 2024. She was one of four daughters of Lucille Morton Lesher and John Denison Lesher. Martha Lee and her identical twin sister, Mary Lou, were the older sisters to Barbara and Janet. Martha Lee grew up in Fremont, Ohio, and graduated from Fremont Rose High School in 1946. She attended Bowling Green State University and graduated in 1950 with a degree in Elementary Education. Martha Lee married her husband, Bill Pulley, in 1951, and they celebrated 72 years of marriage together.

Martha Lee taught second grade at Carson Elementary School in Price Hill Cincinnati for three years and moved to Oxford where she was part of the community for over 70 years. After Bill passed away, she moved to Charleston, South Carolina to be closer to her son Jeff and his wife, Valerie, and enjoy her family.

Martha Lee was in P.E.O. Chapter E.Q., a lifelong member of the Oxford United Methodist Church, and served for many years with Meals on Wheels until she was 82 years old. Whenever she saw an opportunity to serve or help someone, her love and kindness for others was revealed.

Martha Lee was devoted to her children Chip, Mary Lynn, and Jeff, and to her daughter-in-law, Valerie. She adored her grandchildren, Stephen, and Kara Leigh (Mark), and her young great-grandson, Greyson.

Martha Lee is survived by her son, Jeff Pulley (Valerie), her twin sister, Mary Lou Riegle, and sisters Barbara Hammitt, and Janet Trachtenberg, her grandchildren and great grandson, along with many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by Bill, and her oldest children, Chip and Mary Lynn. 

There will be a Celebration of Life service at The Knolls of Oxford 6727 Contreras Rd at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 4.

This obituary originally appeared on the website of Paul R. Young Funeral Home and has been edited for length.