Martha Lottman, the "Yellow Rose of Texas" Martha Lottman, beloved mother, grannee, great-grannee, and community leader, died on Monday February 17. Daughter of Nathan J. and Sarah B. Klein, she was born in Houston Texas in 1931. After Sarah's death, her father married Amelia L. Klein who was mother to her from the age of 9. Known for her community service in education, civil rights, and building community in Canton and in Israel, her first priority was always family. Gatherings at Thanksgiving, weddings, and other family events gave her tremendous joy, and her matzah ball soup , fudge cakes, and lemon cake were always ready to greet friends and family. She organized family trips to Israel, Chautauqua, Cape Cod, and London,which provided lifetime memories for 3 generations. Mrs. Lottman is survived by a large and growing family: daughter Amelia (Jeff) Gremelspacher, son Arthur (Diane) Lavin, daughter Liz (David) Cohen, son Dan (Katie)Lavin, stepson Michael (Sylvia)Lottman, stepdaughter Betsy (Michael) Lottman, grandchildren Sarah (David), Meredith (Jason), Joshua (Emma), Hannah, Abby, Molly (Andres), Ethan, Sim, Sunny, Daisy, Binh, Naomi, Eliza (Roger), Sam (Jennifer), Jon (Sharon); great-grandchildren Aaron, Michael, Asher, Jack, Erica, Julia, Lilly, Toby, Robin, Raiden. She is preceded in death by her husbands Milton Lottman and Ben Lavin, granddaughter Annie Gremelspacher, grandson Andrew Lottman, and her siblings Ernie Klein, Carol Sklar, Shirley Markey, and Edward Klein. Martha was a Lifetime Trustee of Temple Israel, and served as its President. Early on she was a Temple Youth Group advisor. She served on Stark County Jewish Federation's Board, chairing its Community Relations, Social Action, and Partnership with Israel Committees. In her work with the Partnership, she helped create the TriWizard cross-cultural learning program, bringing together high school students from a Jewish school and Arab school in Akko, Israel, and a Canton city school to travel, learn, and talk together. She also helped to organize several adult interfaith trips to Israel. Martha was a member of the URJ Commission on Social Action and the Hebrew Union College Board of Overseers. She served on the boards of the Anti-Defamation League and Jewish Family Service. In the Canton community Martha served on the Canton Board of Education and was president for three terms. She served on the Hunger Task Force, the Canton Student Loan Foundation, Stark County Planned Parenthood , the First Ladies' Library planning committee, and Coming Together Stark County. She has been honored by the Canton YWCA as their Woman of the Year. She is a two-time recipient of the Jewish Federation Community Service Award. She received the 2014 Education Award from the Martin Luther King Jr. Commission of Greater Canton. These were treasured honors among many. Martha was President and CEO of MKL Properties and M&L Properties in Houston. Through these she carried on the real estate work of her father Nathan Klein. She also continued his philanthropic work as a trustee of the Nathan and Amelia Klein Fund, with focus on support of Houston Jewish Community. Martha herself was a generous philanthropist, supporting many causes as well as arts and music organizations. Martha was a world traveler and loved to experience culture, art, and music wherever she went. She was an avid reader, a green thumb gardener, and a lifelong learner. She attended college while she raised her family, and graduated Magna Cum Laude in math from Malone College. She was a tactful benefactor to many in need, and eased end of life for many in pain with her daily visits and calls. She inspired her progeny to follow her example of giving back to the world. In lieu of flowers, donations would be welcome to Canton Jewish Federation, Houston Jewish Family Service, or the charity of your choice. Funeral services will be held on Thursday (Today) February 20 at 2PM at Temple Israel, Beit Ha'am. After interment at West Lawn cemetery, the family invites all to return to the temple for a brief minyan service, a light meal, and a time to share memories. Arnold Canton 330-456-7291 www.arnoldfuneralhome.com