Martha Hefley

Martha Nancy Hefley Martha Nancy Hefley, 77, passed away Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2011, at the home of her daughter and soninlaw in Broken Arrow, OK, surrounded by her family after a hard fought battle against cancer. Funeral services will be held Friday, Aug. 19, at 10:30 a.m. at the First Christian Church in Neodesha with Pastor Dave Cheshier officiating. Burial will be in the Neodesha Cemetery under the direction of the PenwellGabel Loran Fawcett Funeral Home. Martha will lie in state at the funeral home from 9:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 18, at the funeral home with family greeting friends from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Martha was born to Lyle and Blossom Fear Thomas on June 3, 1934 in Neodesha. She attended Neodesha schools, graduating from Neodesha High School in 1952. Martha married her high school sweetheart, Louis Sonny Hefley on Dec. 22, 1951 in Huntsville, AR. They lived most of their married life in Neodesha until they retired to their home on Grand Lake at Grove, OK. They would have celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on Dec. 22. Marthas favorite times were when she had her entire family gathered at the lake. Friends were always welcome as well. She will be missed by many whose life she touched. Martha was employed for many years at Cobalt Boats in Neodesha and considered them as her second family. She was a member of the Wilson County Hospital Auxiliary and was a volunteer at the IntegrisGrove Hospital, Grove, OK. Martha was active in the Neodesha Arts Association and had appeared in many productions at the Neodesha Arts Center while living in Neodesha. She took great pride in her children and grandchildren and seldom missed one of their activities or sporting events. She was known as the Queen of Neodesha among family members. Survivors include her husband, Sonny, of their home a son, Randy Hefley, and his wife, Peggy, of Lumberton, TX two daughters, Nancy Brandwein and her husband, Brian, of Broken Arrow, OK and Jane Cunningham and her husband, Phillip, of Neodesha nine grandchildren seven greatgrandchildren one more due in November a brother, Jack Thomas of Bogue, KS a sister, Sandy Kulb and her husband, Bayard, of Phoenix, AZ her sisterinlaw, Linda Allison and her husband Jake of Mansfield, TX and many cousins, nieces and nephews. Martha was preceded in death by her parents and an infant sister, Jean Ann. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society in care of the funeral home.