Doud, Martha Sabiston

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Martha Ann Sabiston Doud, 89, of Radford, died Saturday, October 10, 2009 surrounded by her family. She was a member of Grove United Methodist Church in Radford for over 55 years.

A native of Jacksonville, N.C., she graduated from Jacksonville High and graduated as a Registered Nurse in 1941 from Rex Hospital School of Nursing in Raleigh, N.C. Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, she enlisted in the U.S. Army Nursing Corps in January 14, 1942 and was stationed at Camp Croft in South Carolina. On February 1944, she was sent to Camp Kilmer, N.J. to join some 200 other nurses for overseas assignment. She was stationed in England in anticipation of the D-Day Invasion.

Following the invasion she was stationed in France and began nursing the wounded and injured soldiers. She remained in France for the duration of World War II, which ended on May 8, 1945. She returned to the U.S. and was discharged with the rank of First Lt. in February 1946. She accepted a nursing position at the VA Hospital in Nashville, Tn. where she met her husband Ralph B. Doud, Jr.

They were married in 1949 and moved to Radford in 1950. She was a mother and homemaker until 1962 when she returned to nursing at Radford Community Hospital where she worked until retirement in 1974. She was an active volunteer and church member. She served as a volunteer with the Meals on Wheels, the Hospital Auxiliary and the American Red Cross.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Ralph B. Doud Jr. and by a daughter, Marjorie Doud. Survivors include her son and daughter-in-law, Ralph III and Jenny Doud, of Radford; a daughter and son-in-law, Rosemary and David Kisling, of Fort Collins, Co.; three grandsons, Wiley Kisling, of Fort Collins, Co.; Brigham and Evan Doud, both of Radford; foster granddaughter, Brenda Watson, of Fort Collins, Co.

Funeral services will be held at 3:30 p.m. Monday, October 12, 2009 at Grove United Methodist Church with the Rev. Karen Lane and the Rev. Gina Rhea officiating. The family will receive friends following the funeral from 4 to 6 p.m. in the church fellowship hall. Interment and graveside service will be Tuesday, October 13 at 10 a.m. at Sunrise Burial Park with V.F.W. Post #776 conducting military graveside rights.

In lieu of flowers contributions can be made to Grove United Methodist Church in Radford. The family wishes to thank the staff of Radford Nursing and Rehab Center where she lived for five years.

Special thanks are also extended to her roommate Kathleen Burton and family Wes and Darlene Burton. Appreciation is extended to her many other devoted friends from Grove United Methodist Church and staff of Carilion New River Valley Medical Center.

The Doud family is in the care of Mullins Funeral Home & Crematory in Radford. www.mullinsfuneralhome.com.