Martha E. Mantooth

Martha Elizabeth Mantooth, 87, of Indianapolis, passed away peacefully on July 7, 2025, at Arlington Place Health Campus. She was born on September 14, 1937, in Indianapolis, IN to the late Mike and Carrie (Davis) Garland.

Martha dedicated her life to serving others, sharing her spunky and feisty spirit with everyone she encountered. Her career took her through various roles as a waitress in restaurants, as well as in resale and retail, where her keen eye for bargains flourished. Later in life, she cherished her time volunteering at Community East Hospital in Indianapolis, working diligently in the cafeteria, where her caring nature touched the hearts of those she served.

Those who knew Martha will fondly remember her generous spirit. She enjoyed visiting nursing homes, where she spent quality time with residents, bringing them joy and company, often sharing items she found while “goodwilling”.

A beloved member of Christian Tabernacle Church since her move back to Indianapolis in 2013, Martha’s faith and walk with God played an integral role in her life. Her church family and Pastor were very important to her, as well as her blood family.

Martha lived in Salem from 1985 until 2013 when she moved back to Indianapolis. She was a tough country girl who approached life with determination. She cherished her fishing excursions, always keeping a fishing pole ready in her front closet. Her other hobbies included “goodwilling” and yard sales, where she delighted in discovering hidden treasures to flip for resale. Martha enjoyed coffee and the rich taste of coffee cake in the mornings, savored big tubs of ice cream, and at times treated herself to an Arby’s roast beef sandwich with a Dr Pepper. She found joy in everyday moments and held a special place in her heart for collecting and wearing hats, proudly participating as a member of the Red Hat Society.

Those left to cherish her memory include her brother, Lewis (Mary Jane) Garland; sister, Naomi Jean LaCrosse; niece, Crystal Bufford; granddaughter, Carla Guilmette; great grandchildren, Joshua (Rose) Fields, Ciera Hacker, and Zachary Hacker; 6 great-great grandchildren; great nieces, Cheryl (Ronnie) Hargraves and Regina (Kevin) Horsley; step children, Donna and Pam; and several other family members.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Donald Warren Mantooth; sisters, Esther Shelby, Grace Bertrum, and Mary Coleman; brothers, Joe Garland, George Garland, John Garland, and Mike Garland; and stepson, Sam.

Services will be held at 1:00 pm Friday, July 11, 2025, at Christian Tabernacle Church in Indianapolis with Pastor Kent Jordan officiating. Burial will follow in New Crown Cemetery in Indianapolis. Visitation will be from 11:00 am to the time of the service, at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Christian Tabernacle School at 802 South Franklin Rd., Indianapolis, IN 46239 and the Alzheimer’s Association at 225 N Michigan Ave., Floor 17, Chicago, IL 60601. You may express condolences or share a memory of Martha at www.hinsey-brown.com.