Janie Cothran Whitaker Martin 91 formerly of 1934 Nance St. Newberry died Sunday August 26 2007 at Springfield Place.Mrs. Martin was born on Sept. 1 1915 in Belton a daughter of the late Rueben Dawkins and Olive Kathryn Reid Cothran. She attended the public schools in Newberry Newberry College and the University of S.C. She participated in the U.S. government sponsored Modern Foreign Language Institutes in 1960 and 1962.She taught English Spanish and Psychology in the public schools of Newberry for 30 years. In 1970 she was presented the Outstanding Teacher Award by the S.C. Chapter of the American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese. As long as her health permitted she was active in community affairs. She was a member and office holder in the Newberry Civic League The Parent Teachers Association and Newberry Council of Garden Clubs The N.E.A. the S.C.E.A. and the Retired Teachers Association. In Sept. of 2000 she received a Commendation from the S.C. House of Representatives on her 85th birthday celebration which honored her for dedication to her family friends and the multitude of students whom she motivated to academic achievement during her teaching career She was a member of First Baptist Church where she served in many capacities: Sunday School teacher Young Peoples leader Women's Missionary Union GA's and YWA's as well as various committees.She was twice married first to the late Ralph H. Whitaker and second to the late Parker F. Martin. She is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law Kathy and Philip Spotts of Newberry and Janice and David Glover of Atlanta; four grandchildren Kelley (Michael) Pfeffer Dr. Kenley (Meg) Loftis Katie (Jeff) Jackson and Kay Hampton; two step-grandchildren Hunter Spotts and Langston Spotts; seven great grandsons; and three step-great grandsons. She was predeceased by her sister Elizabeth "Dit" Thornton.Funeral services were conducted at 11:00 AM Thursday at First Baptist Church by the Rev. Dr. Kenneth Harmon. Interment was in Newberry Memorial Gardens at 10 A.M. prior to the funeral service.The family did receive friends at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Phil Spotts 8660 S.C. Highway 395 Newberry from 6:00 to 9:00 P.M. on Wednesday. Memorials may be made to Newberry College 2100 College St. Newberry SC 29108; Newberry Opera House PO Box 357 Newberry SC 29108; First Baptist Church 1020 Boundary St. Newberry SC 29108; or Newberry County Memorial Hospital Foundation PO Box 47 Newberry SC 29108. Active pallbearers will be nephews. Messages to the family may be sent via email at notes@whitakerfuneralhome.com. Whitaker Funeral Home Newberry is assisting the family.