Martha Carolyn Swanson Sundquist died peacefully on Wednesday, March 11, 2026 in Collierville, Tennessee. While she was known as the wife of Gov. Don Sundquist (First Lady 1995-2003), the titles she most cherished were wife, mother, grandmother (MorMor) and friend.
She was born in Joliet, Illinois October 10, 1937, to Harry and Carolyn Swanson. She grew up in Lemont, Illinois. She is preceded in death by her husband, Don, her sister, Bea Beyerhelm as well as Bea’s husband, Carl, and her brother, Paul Swanson and his wife Analee.
She attended Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois, graduating in 1959. This is where she first discovered red bud trees and Don. She fell in love with them both. They married in 1959. She is survived by her children: Tania (David) Williamson, Andrea Jeannet and Deke (Donald Kenneth Sundquist, Jr.) and by her beloved grandchildren: Gabby Jeannet (Markos Daskalakis) and Alex Jeannet. Martha is also survived by a large extended family of Swansons, Beyerhelms and Sundquists.
She and Don lived in all parts of Tennessee-Shelbyville, Memphis, Nashville and Townsend. While neither were from here, they both loved everything Tennessee. In 1989, she received a USO appointment by President Ronald Reagan as a member of the Board of Governors (a 3 year term). She could never believe a girl from Lemont could become a First Lady. But she handled the position, as with all things, with grace and kindness. Her interests included wildflower beautification of interstate highways, hosting children at the Annual Easter Egg Roll and all things nature-trees, flowers and parks. She was especially proud to have a state forest named after her in Cocke County.
Martha loved God, family, friends, golf, gardening and jigsaw puzzles. She always had a song for any occasion.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center, PO Box 268, 123 Cromwell Dr. Townsend, Tennessee 37882 (or online at their website).
Funeral will be held 11:00AM Saturday, March 21, 2026 at Tuckaleechee United Methodist Church, 7322 Old Tuckaleechee Rd., Townsend, Tennessee 37882. Visitation will be 10:00AM until time of service at 11:00AM. Interment immediately following.
Dilday-Carter Funeral Home is charge of arrangements 731-986-8281.
