Martha Ann (MacLeod) Ragan

Martha Ann MacLeod Ragan, of York, South Carolina, went to be with her Lord on Saturday, October 12, 2024.

Martha was born on June 23, 1947 to William and Gertrude (Ballbach) MacLeod of Detroit, Michigan.  Martha is survived by her husband, William Calvin “Bill” Ragan, sister, Ruth MacLeod, children, Will (Jenny) Ragan, and Amy (Glenn) Jones, grandchildren, David (Sydnee), Jack, and Rachel Ragan, Chip and Debbie Hand, and great-grandchildren, Stella and Sawyer Ragan.

Martha received her teaching degree from Wayne State University in Michigan, where she gave her life to the Lord through the ministry of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship.  After teaching second grade, Martha pursued a call to missions and attended Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Illinois.  While at Trinity, Martha met Bill Ragan from North Carolina, who also was called to the mission field.  Martha and Bill were married on February 12, 1972. 

Martha and Bill served on the mission fields of Bangladesh in the 1970s, Nigeria in the 1980s, and Nepal, Bangladesh, and India in the early 2000s.  In between their times of overseas service, they lived in the Carolinas, including a number of years in Murphy, NC, and a few years in Myrtle Beach, SC.  Wherever they lived, they were very involved in the local church and community, and she often led women’s Bible studies and church ministries. In 2009, Martha and Bill “retired” from overseas mission work, settled in Rock Hill, SC, and became extremely active in the community there.  Martha taught Sunday School at Park Baptist Church and was later very active in the Living Waters Sunday School Class of First Baptist Church, both in Rock Hill.  For many years, she taught a class with Life Builders, an English as a second language ministry, teaching the Bible to international students. 

Martha loved working with children, reading, and teaching.  She taught many children all over the world.  Martha’s greatest joys in life were being with her family, especially her grandchildren, and teaching the Bible.  The Lord gave her special gifts in hospitality and she loved to host people in her home and serve them her delicious cooking and baking.

Martha and Bill moved to York, SC in 2020, where they became members of Filbert Presbyterian (PCA).  She was loved dearly by everyone who met her.  Though she will be deeply missed, we rejoice knowing that she is with the Savior she loves. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Life Builders ESL Ministry, c/o Melanie Burns, 1658 Onyx Ridge, Fort Mill, SC  29708.

The family will receive friends from 1-2pm on Wednesday, October 16, 2024 in the Fellowship Hall at Filbert Presbyterian PCA, 2066 Filbert Hwy York, SC 29745. A memorial service celebrating Martha’s life will be held in the Fellowship Hall at 2:30pm with the Reverend Dave Hall officiating.

Online condolences may be made to the family at www.brattonfuneralhome.com.

Bratton Funeral Home of York, SC is serving the Ragan family.

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