Martha Doris Barker Green M.D., 92, of Orange Beach, passed away Saturday, Jan. 31, 2015 surrounded by her family.
She was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend.
As the first female OB-GYN in the state of Alabama, she served patients in Birmingham and surrounding communities for more than 35 years.
Martha Doris was born in Piedmont on Feb. 26, 1922 and raised in Birmingham. She earned her BS in biology from Vanderbilt University and her doctor of medicine from the University of Tennessee College of Medicine.
Doris (whose classmates called her “Bonnie”) was the only female in her medical school class, so she learned early on to compete successfully in what was clearly a male-dominated profession. In the late 1960s, she was appointed as the first female to serve on the board of directors of the all-male Marion Military Institute, which both of her sons attended.
Dr. Green began her practice in 1949 at South Highlands Infirmary and expanded to Brookwood Hospital when they opened in 1973. She moved her office to the Brookwood Professional Building in 1978 and practiced there until her retirement in 1985.
“Dr. Grandmama” (as she was known by the family) actually delivered, or assisted in the delivery, of four of her five grandchildren. Her entire medical career was spent in a single physician practice, which gave her the ability to treat each of her patients with the individualized attention she knew they deserved.
Dr. Grandmama loved being surrounded by her family, especially during their frequent visits to her home in Magnolia Springs, where she resided for many years after her retirement.
Martha was preceded in death by her parents, Norwood E. Barker and Carrielou Stewart Barker of Birmingham.
Surviving are her sons, Robert Lee Green III (Pam) of Orange Beach and Norwood Edwin Green (Margaret) of Lookout Mountain, Tenn.; grandchildren, Stacy Leigh Green, Adam Whitman Green (Kelly), Laura Green Blackstone (Troy), Carrie Green Evans (Whit) and Edwin Boykin Barker Green (Katy); great-grandchildren, Ashley and Parker Christenson, John Martin and Marleigh Green, J.P. and Blakely Blackstone, Maggie Evans and Karly Green.
Visitation will be held from 1-2 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2015 at Ridout’s Valley Chapel, 1800 Oxmoor Rd. in Homewood. A memorial service will follow at 2 p.m.
The family wishes to thank the Ridout’s staff and Asera Care Hospice for their care and concern.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Asera Care Hospice, 708 W. Laurel Ave., Foley, AL 36535, or to a charity of your choosing.
Arrangements by Ridout’s Valley Chapel, Homewood.
