Martha Sliger Denton of Franklin, Tennessee

February 18, 1930 - May 23, 2020

Martha Ann Sliger Denton of Franklin, TN, formerly of Oak Ridge, TN, passed away peacefully on May 23, 2020. She had celebrated her 90th birthday with a road trip and lunch with her children, and enjoyed seeing her grandchildren on Mother’s Day.

Martha was born in Niota, TN to the late Carl Dewey Sliger and Grace Hutsell Sliger.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, Bill Stone Denton, two of her brothers George Curtis Sliger, and Jim Sliger, and her beloved stepmother Grace Hayes Webb Sliger.

Martha worked in Oak Ridge from the early 1950s at the Oak Ridge Gaseous Diffusion Plant (K-25) as an administrative assistant where she met Bill on the bus that would take employees to the cafeteria. They married in 1960 and soon started their family. She was a homemaker and enjoyed cooking, gardening, boating, and relaxing in the sun. Martha went to work with the Oak Ridge School System at Linden Elementary as their secretary/ receptionist in 1969 and remained there 19 years. She also worked for Big Brothers Big Sisters before retiring from Martin Marietta (ORNL) in 1994.

After retirement, the Dentons traveled extensively, and especially enjoyed hiking and backpacking in their beloved Smoky Mountains, a hobby the family enjoyed since 1971. They also hiked in Colorado, Arizona, and portions of the Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine.

Martha was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Oak Ridge where she enjoyed singing in the choir for years.

Martha is survived by her children June (Gary) Hanson of Franklin, TN and Bert (Carla) Denton of Birmingham, AL, her oldest brother Roy Sliger of Athens, TN, her grandchildren Eric and Rebecca Dallman, her step grandchildren Jill Hanson and Blake (Dana) Hanson, her nieces and nephews Eric (Linda) Sliger, David (Sally) Sliger, Fred (Lou Ann) Sliger, Randy Sliger, Melissa (Camden) Sutherland, Emilee (Steve) Elliott, and many great nieces and nephews.

The family wishes to express our deep appreciation to the administration and staff at the Fountains of Franklin Assisted Living and the many doctors and staff at Williamson Medical Center and Tennessee Oncology who so lovingly and compassionately cared for Martha the past many years. A private memorial is planned for a later date.

Condolences may be sent C/O June Hanson 5018 Farmhouse Dr Franklin, TN 37067. To honor Martha’s long life filled with friends and smiles, the family requests any memorials be sent to Graceworks Ministries (graceworksministries.net/donate/), Jimmie Hale Mission (jimmiehalemission.com) or a charity of your choice.