Martha Ann Wakefield

Martha Ann Wakefield, 79, of Chattahoochee, Florida, died Tuesday, January 20, 2026, in Tallahassee, Florida.

She was born on March 11, 1946, the firstborn of seven children, to Norman and Irene Messer. She received a bachelor's degree in social work from FAMU while working for the Florida Department of Children and Family Services. After more than 30 years working with the state, she retired, but continued serving families. She volunteered for many years with the Florida Ombudsman Program.

Martha was the matriarch of the family and took that role seriously, ensuring everyone was loved, cared for, and left her home with a to-go plate. She was a loving and devoted mother. Martha was a fighter, and even a two-year cancer diagnosis didn’t stop her from enjoying as many moments of the next nine years as she could. She was determined to care for and love on anyone she could, regardless of her own circumstances. She was not only a mother to her three children, but also to anyone who would let her be a mother figure. She loved to cruise and was an avid cruiser for many years. She was always ready to set sail with her family and friends, especially her dear friend, Von

She was preceded in death by her husband, Bertram Wakefield, Jr., and her parents, Norman and Irene Messer.

Martha is survived by her children; Michael Wheaton (Elizabeth Merryfield), Patrick Gentry, Shannon Gentry Wester; grandchildren, USAF Pilot - Geoffery Wheaton (Madison), Virginia Walker Gentry, Bryan Daniel Henry (Jordan), William Patrick Gentry; great-grandson, Thomas Walker Ryan; siblings, Linda Martin, Roger Messer (Betsy), Rev. William “Bill” Messer (Mary), Robert “Bob” Messer, Sue Whittington (Ricky), and Kaye Robinson (Dennis).

Graveside services will be 10 AM (CST), Saturday, January 24, 2026, at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery with James & Sikes Funeral Home Maddox Chapel directing.

The family will receive friends from 4-6 PM (CST), Friday, January 23, 2026, at James & Sikes Funeral Home Maddox Chapel.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in her memory.