Martha Hagler Scranton

Martha Hagler Scranton passed away on Wednesday August 10, 2016 at the age of 85.

On October the 29, 1930 Cora and Clyde Hagler of Birmingham, Alabama welcomed a beautiful baby girl into this world. She would spend much of her life in Birmingham where she attended St Paul's Catholic School and John Carroll High School, and was elected Prom Queen. Martha adored her wonderful parents.

Then she headed off to the University of Alabama. While she was at the university she joined Pi Beta Phi Sorority. She became a Corolla Beauty and was then selected as National Sweetheart for Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity. It was in the home economics department where her animal rescue career began. Believe it or not, she rescued the classroom lab rats! Needless to say, her sorority sisters were not too excited to share the house with two lab rats! Martha uniquely wedded her personality of a perfect "Southern Belle" with her extravagant love for animals.

Martha would meet her husband, Robert Scranton, at church. Their lives would be spent spoiling two daughters and one granddaughter, and rescuing four legged creatures. They worked hard and ended up buying Marc Steel Company, part of the Birmingham Barons, and the concession rights at Auburn University and University of Alabama. Back in the day, Martha was a trend setter. The Birmingham news reported her to be the first professional woman to wear pants in the workplace! Spoiling children and reinventing the Greater Birmingham Humane Society were expensive ventures. But if you were related to Martha or a homeless animal, rest assured, you would live a charmed life.

Upon retirement, Bob and Martha left Birmingham and their cherished friends to continue spoiling their girls and raise one grandchild in Atlanta.

A little over two years ago, Martha moved to Charleston, S.C. with her oldest daughters' family to be close to her granddaughter. She enjoyed oyster roasts, shagging on the Cooper, and the camaraderie of many new found friends in Charleston ( Maria Urrechoga). She also evolved into a Bernie Sanders supporting vegetarian. Last year she adopted a beautiful little pit bull mix from Hallie Hill Animal Sanctuary. That blessed dog never left her side. Martha has also benefited greatly from Respite Care of Charleston, Hospice Care of South Carolina & Charleston, and Trident Area Agency on the Aging.

Martha is preceded in death by her Husband, Bob Scranton, a younger brother, Lane Hagler, two lab rats from Tuscaloosa, one lucky stolen Walking Horse, and many rescued and or stolen dogs and cats from the south. She is survived by her daughter, Barbara Harkins and Caroline Bell, (her adored College of Charleston rugby playing granddaughter) , Caroline Harkins, and two of the best son-in-laws in the world, Craig Harkins and Jeffrey Bell as well as his family which became ours.. And lastly, she is survived by, you guessed it, a lot of lucky animals all spayed and neutered flourishing around the country.

I am sure you will want to donate to her favorite cause. You can do so by sending donations to Hallie's Hill Animal Sanctuary 5604 New Rd, Hollywood, SC 29449.

But, just as good as donations, please spay and neuter everything within a mile radius of your home. That would put a smile on our dear mom's face.