Mary Elizabeth (Seymour) Martin 1919-2008

Mary Elizabeth Seymour Martin was born in a log cabin in Custer County, Colorado on May 28, 1919. She was one of seven children born to the union of the late Walter S. and Josephine E. (First) Seymour - five brothers: Charles, Melvin, Ira, Jessie and Walter Jr.; and one sister: Gertrude.

A few years later, the family moved to Hoisington, Kansas, then later to Peabody, Kansas where the family lived for many years. Mary was raised in a Christian home and accepted Christ as her Savior and became an immersed believer at a young age, and was a member of the Christian Church in Wonsevu, Kansas. Mary was an avid reader of the Bible and practiced those beliefs.

Mary attended school at Peabody and graduated at the end of the 8th grade. Mary was an avid reader, and loved doing many kinds of needlework, cooking and gardening. In later years, she was the family historian and kept detailed records of family members.

She was united in marriage to Donald Johnson Martin, on February 18, 1940 in Peabody, Kansas. To that union three sons were born: Byron Henry, Rufus Dale and Joseph Sherman.

After years on the family farm, Mary and Donald moved their family to El Dorado, Kansas where they both worked different jobs. They made the move to Platteville, Colorado after an inheritance was bequeathed to them in the spring of 1963. Many family members and friends surrounded both Mary and Donald. Donald worked for an oil company and Mary worked at Weld County Memorial Hospital now known as Northern Colorado Medical Center, as a nurse's aide until her retirement. Even after retirement, Mary's giving spirit led her to do home health care till her second retirement.

Mary and Donald decided to move to St. Robert, Missouri in October 1991 to be closer to her son Dale and his wife Kate. They settled there till Donald passed away in January 2000. After a lengthy illness, Mary moved in with her son Joe and grandson Rufus in St. Clair, Missouri where she resided for five years. Mary went into a skilled care facility in St. Clair, residing there for one year before transferring to Sunset Village of the Ozarks in St. Robert.

Mary had a special talent for relationships and with her sweet personality she quickly made friends. She was loved and gave love back to those she called her extended family. She especially loved reading her Bible and of course her storybooks and working word puzzles. She enjoyed a Bingo game as well as anyone. But her greatest joy was attending church at the First Christian Church in Waynesville every Sunday and being with her family. When all was well with Mary, she would give a wink and a nod.

Mary went home to be with her Lord at 11:45 P.M. Saturday, January 12, 2008 in the Sunset Village of the Ozarks at the age of 88 years, 7 months and 15 days.

Mary will be sadly missed by her family and friends, especially by two sons: Dale Martin and his wife Kate of Devil's Elbow, MO and Joseph Martin of Charles City, IA; four grandchildren; seven great grandchildren; several nieces, nephews, nephews, other relatives and fiends.

In addition to her parents and husband, Mary was preceded in death by one son, Byron and one grandson, Frankie Lee.

A memorial service was held at 11:00 A.M. Friday, January 18, 2008 in the Waynesville Memorial Chapel with Doug Cage officiating. Soloist Becky Lercher sang "Amazing Grace", "The Old Rugged Cross", "How Great Thou Art" and "Serenaded By Angels". Inurnment followed in the Sunset Memorial Estates Cemetery. Services were under the direction of Waynesville Memorial Chapel.