Martha Louise Roman

Martha Louise Roman

Martha Louise Roman passed away peacefully in her sleep on May 15, 2017, at the Englewood Meridian Senior Living Center in Englewood, Colorado.  Born May 21, 1925 in Monett, Missouri, she was the only child of Helen Frances (Gahring) Millsap and Virgil Lawrence Millsap.  Martha was the widow of James Alvin Roman, her loving husband, whom she met when James was a soldier at Camp Crowder in southwest Missouri.  Following his return from Europe at the end of World War II, Martha and James were married in Monett in 1946.  After marrying, they resided in Washington, D.C., then St. Louis, Missouri, before settling in Indianapolis, Indiana, where they raised four children.

Martha graduated from Monett High School in 1943, and a brilliant scholar, earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Arkansas in only three years, graduating in 1946.  Gender bias of that period thwarted her dream of attending medical school and becoming a doctor.  As a result of her studies, Martha was proficient in German, Greek, and Latin, and she worked as a translator for the Office of Strategic Services in Washington, D.C. following World War II.  After relocating to Indianapolis, Martha worked for the Marion County Library System, at one time managing a bookmobile, and supported her husband in his home building and real estate appraising businesses.  She was an avid quilter and former member of the Quilters Guild of Indianapolis.  Martha also belonged to the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority and PEO.  Martha and her husband were founding members of Saint Alban’s Episcopal Church in Indianapolis.  A life-long learner, after raising four children, Martha resumed her education and earned a Master’s degree in history from Indiana Central College (now the University of Indianapolis).

Martha is survived by her four children -- James Michael Roman, married to Carol Thurstin (Denver, Colorado); Mary Jean Roman, married to Ellen Birenbaum (New York, New York); Carol Ann Roman, married to Robert Kihm (Centennial, Colorado); and William Millsap Roman, married to Anita Witmer (Newport, Pennsylvania); and by seven grandchildren -- Michael Thomas Roman(Trafalgar, Indiana; Alison Nicole Roman(Thornton, Colorado); Luke Aaron Roman, Jake Aldo Roman, and Nick Casey Roman, (Newport, Pennsylvania); Sarah Kihm Edwards, married to Chris Edwards (Atlanta, Georgia); and Stephanie Roman Kihm (Centennial, Colorado).

Any donations can be made to St. Alban’s Episcopal Church, 4601 Emerson Avenue, Indianapolis, IN 46226.