M.P.C.I. Class of 1931

Birth: 3 Jan 1913, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina
Death: 6 Jan 2001, Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina

Parents:
David Luke Johnston (1880-1932)
Agnes Wilhelmina Cook Johnston (1880-1963)

Siblings:
Dorothy Lee Johnston Orr (1911-2002)
Sylvia Christine Johnston (1914-1916)
Jean Douglas Johnston Tasker (1916-2009)

Spouse: Elliot Rector Motley, III (1913-1995)
Marriage: 8 Jun 1940, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina
Divorce: 24 Apr 1973, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina

Children:
Elliott Rector Motley, IV
Melanie Motley Godwin

Burial: Woodlawn Cemetery, Blowing Rock, Watauga County, North Carolina
Source: www.findagrave.com, #41736101.

____________

The Charlotte News (Charlotte, NC), 9 Jun 1940, p. 3D.

Motley-Johnston Rites Held

Miss Martha Wilhelmena Johnston, daughter of Mrs. David Luke Johnston, became the bride of Elliot Rector Motley III, son of Dr. and Mrs. Elliot Rector Motley of Hannibal, Mo., last evening at 8 o’clock at the home of the bride’s mother on Selwyn Avenue, the Rev. W. J. Boger, D. D., uncle of the bride, officiating.

Before the ceremony, Miss Eloise Lemmond played “Liebestraum,” by Liszt, “At Dawning,” by Cadman, “Indian Love Call,” by Friml and “The Rosary,” by Bond. The traditional wedding march was used for the processional. Miss Julie Shirey of Mount Pleasant, sang “Because,” by d’Hardelot and “I Love You Truly,” by Bond. During the ceremony Miss Lemmond played “Serenade” by Schubert.

DECORATIONS

The vows were spoken in the living room before an improvised altar with a background of smilax, ferns and palms. Cathedral tapers in seven branched candelabra were used with greenery. A mound of white flowers and fern, flanked by crystal candelabra holding tall white tapers, graced the mantle.

Miss Jean Johnston, sister of the bride, was maid of honor. She wore a gown of sea-green net. The fitted bodice was made with dropped shoulders, to which were attached puffed sleeves. The full skirt was made over taffeta. She carried a bouquet of sweetheart roses, delphinium and baby’s breath.

Diana Stampley, little daughter of Mr. and Mrs. C. D. Stampley, was flower girl. She wore a white marquisette dress with lace-trimmed yoke and sleeves. The long, full skirt was covered with ruffles. She carried a dainty white basket filled with pink sweet peas, roses, and baby’s breath.

BRIDE’S GOWN

The bride entered with her mother, who gave her in marriage. Mr. Motley was accompanied by his brother, Dr. Fred E. Motley, as best man.

The bride wore a gown of white marquisette. The bodice, with sweetheart neckline, was gathered in front and molded at the waist. The short puffed sleeves and neck were outlined with Viennese lace. The full flowing skirt was made over 3 yards of taffeta and net. The veil of illusion was worn coronet style, attached with orange blossoms. Her flowers were gardenias and swansonia. She wore a strand of pearls. Her gloves were made of net, trimmed with lace.

Mrs. Johnston, mother of the bride, wore orchid chiffon with a corsage of pink roses and valley lilies.

RECEPTION HELD

After the ceremony, Mrs. Johnston entertained at a reception. Receiving with Mrs. Johnston and the bride and bridegroom were Dr. and Mrs. F. E. Motley.

Thomas Jerome Orr, sister of the bride, directed the guests to the dining room. The table was covered with a cut-work cloth, in the center of which was a low silver bowl of white roses, snapdragons, swansonia and fern. Four silver candleholders with white tapers completed the arrangement. A crystal bowl with mixed white flowers and crystal candelabra holding six other white tapers had been placed on the buffet.

An ice course was served by Miss Daphne Ranson, Miss Marion Price, Miss Georgia Flowe and Mrs. Archibald Smith.

LEAVE FOR TRIP

During the evening Mr. and Mrs. Motley left for a wedding trip to Sea Island, Ga. Later they will go to Hannibal, Mo., where they will spend the summer months.

Mrs. Motley is the second daughter of Mrs. David Luke Johnston and the late Mr. Johnston. She attended Mount Pleasant Collegiate Institute and was later graduated from Queens College.

Mr. Motley is the son of Dr. and Mrs. Elliot R. Motley of Hannibal, Mo. He attended the University of North Carolina and was later graduated from Davidson College. He is a member of Beta Theta Pi fraternity.

____________

The Charlotte Observer (Charlotte, NC), 11 Jan 2001, p. 5B.

Martha Johnston Motley, 88, of 5100 Sharon Road, died Tuesday, January 9, 2001 at Sharon Towers.

Mrs. Motley was born January 3, 1913 in Mecklenburg County, N.C.

She graduated from Mt. Pleasant Collegiate Institute in 1931, and received her BA degree from Queens College in 1935.

Mrs. Motley taught primary school, first in Harrisburg, N.C. in 1935-1936, and subsequently at Sharon School from 1936-1942.

She married the late Dr. Elliott R. Motley, III on June 8, 1940. A member of Myers Park Presbyterian Church since 1948, she taught Sunday School in the primary department for many years and always took great pride in her role as an educator.

She is survived by her son, Dr. Elliott R. Motley, IV of Charlotte; her daughter, and son-in-law, Melanie Motley Godwin and C. Edwin Godwin, Jr.; and two grandchildren, Catherine Montague Godwin and C. Edwin Godwin, III. Also surviving are two sisters, Mrs. Thomas J. (Dorothy) Orr and Mrs. Deane C. (Jean) Tasker and five nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM Friday, January 12, 2001 at Harry & Bryant Chapel in the Oaks, 500 Providence Road with The Reverend J. Edwin Wayland, Jr. officiating. The family will receive friends Thursday evening from 7:00-8:30 PM, January 11, 2001 at Harry & Bryant Chapel. Graveside services will be private.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions may be sent to Sharon Towers, 5100 Sharon Road, Charlotte, N.C. 28210, in remembrance of the special care provided there for Mrs. Motley.