Former mayor of Hilton Head Island dies at 98

HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. (AP) — A memorial service is set later this month for former Hilton Head Island Mayor Martha Baumberger who died last weekend following a brief illness.

Valerie Mayer of The Island Funeral Home and Crematory says Baumberger died Sunday at age 98. She was the only woman to serve as mayor of the resort community.

Baumberger was a native of Poplar Bluff, Mo., and moved to Hilton Head Island with her husband in 1978.

She served on served on Beaufort County Council from 1983 through 1986 and as mayor of Hilton Head Island from 1987 through 1989.

As mayor, Baumberger worked to find a route for the Cross Island Parkway and provide more public access to island beaches.

A memorial service is scheduled Oct. 29.