Martha Newman Ragland, 84

Martha Newman Ragland, a resident of Pacific Palisades for nearly 60 years, passed away May 9 from cardio-pulmonary failure. She was 84. Born on the Mississippi Delta in Clarksdale, on December 5, 1920, Martha was a graduate of the University of Tennessee where she was selected from a college annual picture to sign a contract with New York modeling agent John Robert Powers. She spent a year-and-a-half modeling in New York City before coming to Hollywood as an actress under contract to 20th Century Fox where she became a Goldwyn Girl, appearing in small roles in Danny Kaye films. In November 1947, she married film composer Alfred Newman, who headed the music department at 20th Century Fox. They purchased property in Rustic Canyon to build a home designed by architect Lloyd Wright. It was here they raised their five children. Martha and her family continued to live in Pacific Palisades after her husband’s death in 1970. All her children still reside in the Los Angeles area. She dedicated many volunteer hours to groups in her community, including Fashionettes, DAR, Westside L.A. Philharmonic Society, Community Bible Study and her local churches. A founding member of St. Matthew’s Parish, she also attended Calvary Church and, most recently, Palisades Presbyterian Church. Martha devoted her life to family and friends, who deeply loved her and will miss her. ”She is survived by her second husband, Robert Ragland; children Lucy (husband John), Fred (wife Norma), David (wife Krys), Thomas (wife Ann Marie) and Maria (husband Scott); 16 grandchildren, including Christopher, Jennifer, Elizabeth, Jaclyn, Steven, Matthew, Stephanie, Brianne, Diana, Evan, Julia, Jack, Martha, Isabella, Samuel and Noah; and three great-grandchildren: Aaron, Anna and Madelyn. A service will be held at the Presbyterian Church, corner of Sunset and El Medio, at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 14. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be sent to Community Bible Study at 200 Fairbrook Dr. # 102, Herndon, VA 20170.