Mabel Martin
June 28th, 1920 - September 2nd, 2014
From:	Alton, MO
Visitation:	10am-11am Saturday, September 6, 2014 Clary Funeral Home - Alton, MO
Funeral:	11am Saturday, September 6, 2014 Clary Funeral Home - Alton, MO
Burial:	Cave Springs Cemetery - Alton, MO
Mabel Beatrice Simpson Martin, the eldest daughter of five girls, was born on June 28, 1920, in the community of Wilderness to Elzie Elisha and Pearl Hester Watson Simpson. She departed from her earthly life to her heavenly home on Tuesday, September 2, 2014, at Ozark Medical Center, West Plains, Mo. at the age of 94 years, 2 months, and 5 days. When Mabel was a small child, her parents left Wilderness and moved to Oklahoma and Louisiana for employment. Upon later returning to Oregon County, the family lived in the communities of Smyrna, Lula, and Cave Springs. Mabel lived with her grandparents, George and Martha Watson, and attended Smyrna School in grades 1-4. She completed grade school at the Hollis School in the Lula Community and attended high school at the “old” Couch School and Alton. Mabel’s life changed for the next 60 years when she married the love of her life, George Wilson Martin on April 5, 1939. Creeks were flooding when they went to the home of Preacher Sconce, Bro. James W. Sconce, in the Cave Springs Community to be married. To this union were born four children: Rebecca Katherine, Kenneth James, Julia Ruth and Brenda Georgene. With two small children, the young family lived in St. Louis, Youngstown, Ohio and Chattanooga, Tennessee. World War II came and George was drafted to serve his country. During this time, Mabel and their three children lived in the Lula Community near her parents, Elzie and Pearl Simpson. In 1946 a farm was purchased in the Nebo Community and was their home for the next 13 years except for a two year stint of employment in St. Louis due to the drought in Oregon County. From 1959 until 1999, Springfield, Missouri was their home. George preceded Mabel in death on February 18, 1999. In 2001, Mabel returned to Oregon County and lived at the Alton Senior Housing, Shepherd’s View and Shady Oaks Health Care. Besides her husband, Mabel was preceded in death by a daughter: Brenda Roland, her parents: Elzie and Pearl Simpson, two sisters: Eula Bowerman and Violet Johnson, her father-in-law and mother-in-law: Phi and Nova Biffle Martin, her stepmother: Susie Watson Simpson, two stepsisters: Helen and Bertha Wright, nine brothers-in-law and nine sisters-in-law. Mabel was a woman of many talents and interests. She could grow beautiful hybrid irises and African violets. She and George took their flowers and garden produce to farmers market in Springfield and sold them. She had an interest in crafts and for a period of time they had a booth and sold items at flea markets. She was an excellent seamstress, could sew a perfect dart, and made designer clothes when living in St. Louis. She also loved to crochet. Mabel and George enjoyed going to the lake to fish. She especially loved crappie fishing. One of her later interests in life was painting. Her grandchildren have many of her paintings. Mabel was saved in 1933 at the age of 13 at the Old Antioch Church at Lula. She taught Sunday School classes, enjoyed working with the youth, and was a member of Grant Avenue Freewill Baptist Church in Springfield. Survivors include her immediate family: DAUGHTER: Rebecca Williams (Wendell) and their family: Pearl, Robert, Andrew, and Audrey Martin: Sarah, David, Katherine, Kristina, and Kari Russback: Martha, Randy, Hunter, and Brett Williams: George, Terra and Hannah Williams. SON: Kenneth Martin (Barbara) and their children: Rex and Sondra Martin. DAUGHTER: Ruth Booker (Glen) and their family:Glennette and Chris Haney:Aaron, Brittany, Miley and Mason Haney: Tiffany Haney: Tina, Curtis, Tabitha, A’ndrea and Isaac Haney: Julia, Inocencio, Martin, Liliana, and Emilia Leija. SON-IN-LAW: Allen Roland (Brenda-Deceased) and their family: Duane, Kim, Samantha, and Jacob Roland: Dawn, Earl, and Taylor Maize: Christy, Allen, and Austin Chandler: Alice Khosravy: Mary and Charles Hall. Other survivors are: two sisters: Eunice Stogsdill (Hugh) and Daisy Brewer (Keith): two brothers-in-law: Eugene Bowerman and Jared Martin. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews. Services will be 11:00 am Saturday, September 6, 2014 at the Clary Funeral Home, Alton, MO with Bro. Bob Wiggs officiating, interment in the Cave Springs Cemetery. Visitation will be 10:00 am until service time. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Gideons International.
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