Martha Sue (Davis) Clark born September 5, 1935 entered into her Savior's arms on September 15, 2021.

Martha was born in Dixon, MO to Everett and Susie (Shelton) Davis.  She was one of nine children and loved her siblings – Farris, Don, Mae, Faye, Floyd, Reba, Ellen, and Fred.  Growing up in a large family meant there was always someone to be around. Her four sisters brought joy to her heart!  Martha was blessed to have a stay-at-home mother to guide and support her.  Her father was the local blacksmith in Dixon where Martha spent time watching her father work.  In high school Martha participated in glee club and Future Homemakers of America.  She graduated from Dixon High School in 1954.

After graduation Martha was wed to Donley Clark on July 10, 1954.  They settled on a farm outside of Brinktown, Mo. She was blessed with four children – Ronald, Charles, Donna, and Duane. She diligently raised her children as a stay-at-home mother.  It wasn't always easy, but Martha was determined to provide for her children both physically and spiritually.

In 1962 the family moved to Kirksville, MO where Martha took on the role as a single parent.  To provide for her children, Martha worked various jobs.  She began her career as an assistant cook for the Willard Elementary School.  This allowed her to be home with her children in the evenings as well as evening church activities.  Martha also took in laundry and ironing, and cleaned houses to help supplement the income for her household.  She moved on to other dietary jobs in Kirksville including Laughlin Hospital for 9 years, Truman State for 5 years, Senior Center for 3 ½ years, and her career ending at Grim Smith Hospital where she worked for 14 years.

Martha's love for the Lord and to be in His service brought much needed peace and joy to her life.  You could hear her worship the Lord in song on Sundays and other days of the week.  She loved the song "Power in the Blood."  She made sure her children knew the importance of church and surrounding yourself with the people of God.  They attended First Assembly of God in Kirksville, MO on Sundays, Wednesday evenings, and church camps.  The congregation brought Martha much needed comfort and support as a single parent.

In 2000 Martha retired and moved to Adrian, MO to be closer to her son Charles and his family.  She found her place at Victory Assembly of God.  She loved serving as a greeter, Sunday school leader, and prayer warrior.   No one will ever forget Martha's diligence in reporting church attendance.  She was not asked to do that service but she knew it's importance.  Pastor Lance Loughridge will tell you how much he appreciated that little task performed by Martha.

Martha lived up to her Biblical name.  You could find her serving at every church dinner, preparing meals for funerals, and serving at other church activities.  She seemed to just know what needed to be done and willing to do it!  She was diligent to serve as a Sunday School teacher preparing her lessons during the week through personal Bible study.  Martha could often be found with an open Bible in her hand, listening to church services on the television, singing Christian songs with the radio, or reading authors like Joyce Meyer.  "Spending time with God is the key to our strength and success in all areas of life.  Be sure that you never try to work God into your schedule, but always work your schedule around Him." Joyce Meyer

Martha also served her Lord in the community outside of the church.  She enjoyed bringing the Word to residents at Adrian Manor on Sundays, faithfully helping with BINGO, or just sitting and chatting with the residents.

Martha loved her community at Houston Plaza.  This small community brought joy to her life and many friendships.  She was a doer here as well!  She served as the news reporter for the community newsletter.  She loved going door to door to gather the exciting news from the tenants living at the Plaza.  She made sure the potlucks were organized and enough food prepared for those who attended as well as organizing other activities in the community building.  She would make sure all the tenants received their meals on wheels and were aware of Harvester packages available to them.  She was always willing to help anyone living in this community or just be a listening ear.  BINGO was one of her favorite activities.

Martha was a participant in a small group of women known as 2 or MORE Prayer Network .  These women met weekly to pray for the people of Adrian, the school, the Mayor, the City Council, or any need brought to their attention.  "Whether prayer changes our situation or not, one thing is certain: Prayer will change us!" Billy Graham

Martha never learned how to drive but she loved to go places by car, train, bus, or airplane.  She would pack up her young children and board the train from Kirksville to Union Station in Kansas City to visit relatives.  She loved going to church caps especially the ones in Excelsior Springs, MO.  Martha would take bus just to get away and see the country.  She even took the bus to North Carolina for her granddaughter Amanda's wedding and to Florida to visit her children living there.  She would fly to Florida too, but taking the bus was her preferred means of travel.  She recently took a road trip with her son Duane and daughter-in-law Marlines to Kentucky to tour the ARK.

Since Martha did not drive, she walked everywhere.  You would often see her strolling the streets of Adrian.  People would stop and offer her a ride but she loved the exercise.  She would get tickled if she spotted a penny or dime on her walks.

Martha also enjoyed crafts.  She loved making something with her hands using beads, or even pecans or pinecones that she picked up on her many walks.  She took pride in giving these little treasures made with love to people.

Martha may have seemed a little rough around the edges, but she had a heart of gold.  She was always sending cards for birthdays, sympathies, or just encouraging notes.  She seemed to know the right words to say to someone who needed a little pick me up.  Recently a friend of Martha's told her family how Martha was always sending cards or packages in the mail creating a well-worn path from Apt 29 to the Post Office on Main Street.

Martha was proceeded in death by her parents; siblings - Farris Davis, Don Davis, Mae Perkins, Floyd Davis, and Ellen Worthy; sister-in laws – Jenne Davis, Doris Davis, Pauline Davis, and Fred Davis' friend Tilly Neerose; brother-in-laws – Barney Perkins, George Perkins, and Bert Worthy.  She recently grieved the death of her beloved son Duane Clark.

Martha will be missed by her son Ronald(Ann) Clark - Orange Park, FL; son Charles(Kathy) Clark – Gladstone, MO; daughter Donna Sue Clark – Orange Park, FL; and daughter-in-law Marlines Clark – Montverde, FL.

Martha leaves behind her siblings: Faye Perkins – Largo, FL; Reba(Bill) Rorie – Mountain Home, AK; Fred Davis – Chicago, IL; and sister-in-law Vera Davis – Kansas City, MO.

Martha's love lives on in her grandchildren: Jamie Clark – Long Beach, CA; Ronald Clark Jr. – North Carolina; Nathan(Brandi) Clark – Omaha, NE; Brittany(Jordan) Gazdik – New Carlisle, Ohio; Amanda(John)Patterson – Sylva, NC; Wesley(Rebekah)McKnight – Cullowhee, NC; and step-granddaughter April(Kermit)Waitts – Sorento, FL.

Martha was blest to know six great grandchildren – William and Balian Patterson, Lennon, Conner, Noah, and Kennedy Mc Knight as well as many nieces and nephews.

Loving God, loving her neighbor, and living by the ten commandments guided Martha's life making her faith, family and friends central to her.  If you knew Martha, you were blest!

Memorial Service will be Saturday, October 16, 2021 at 3pm in Adrian, MO at Victory Assembly of God (601 Old U. S. Hwy 71). Family will receive condolences before the service beginning at 2pm. Interment at Fairview Cemetery in Dixon, MO on October 23, 2021 at 3pm.

Family requests memorial contribution to Victory Assembly of God or Butler Food Pantry.

Martha loved the poet Helen Steiner Rice.  The following was a quote found underlined in one of her books. It's a final thought from Martha for all of us to consider.

"God grant me courage and hope for every day, faith to guide me along my way, understanding and wisdom too, and grace to accept what life gives me to do."  Helen Steiner Rice