Martha Raye Turner-Hendrix, 83, of Tollette passed away peacefully on Oct. 9, 2022, after a very short illness. She was born Aug. 17, 1939, in Mineral Springs, Ark., to the late Lewis and Flossie Turner.
She was a kind and gentle person who always put her family first. She treated she met with kindness and love. All that knew Martha cared for her deeply and always felt loved by her. She just had that loving gentleness about her that made all that met her feel comfortable and loved.
Martha met and was married to the late Clarence Hendrix, Jr., in 1963. Their union was blessed with three daughters.
She was a lifetime member of First Church of God where she served in many capacities. She loved her church family and her extended Greater Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church family, Little Rock, Ark.
Martha attended and graduated from Howard County High School in Tollette. She received her Associate Degree from Shorter College, North Little Rock; Bachelor’s Degree at Philander Smith, Little Rock; and Master’s Degree from Henderson State University, Arkadelphia. She began her career as a teacher at Howard County Training School in Tollette, she continued her career in education as a teacher at Saratoga Elementary School and eventually became the principal there. Even after retirement she remained dedicated to helping at the school in any way that she could. Martha was a big advocate for education and had a great desire to see others succeed.
She was a member of the Howard County Hospital Board and was the elected Mayor of Tollette for 19 years.
Martha was preceded in death by her parents, brothers Charles and Leon, and sister Ruby.
Those cherishing her memories are her daughters, Martha Sheree (Wes) Ware of Graves Chapel, Ark., Clarissa Renee (Ramsey) Williams and Christal Lynn Thomas, both of Little Rock; one son, William Draper. Grandchildren: Kayla, Chancy, Anthony, TaKachel, Kristian, Kennedi, Jaylon and Jonathan. Great-grandchildren Cayden, Serena, Landon Cruz, Kayson, AJ, Riley, Dilan, Montery, William, Ki’Ari, Jordan, Tajah. One sister, Mary Pearson of Sherwood, Ark., and brothers William (Edna) Turner of Ft. Worth, Texas, and Bobby (Charlene) Turner of Tollette, Ark.; sisters-in-law Jackie Turner of Kansas City, Mo., and Maudies Turner of Tollette, Ark., and a treasure chest of nephews, nieces, cousins, other relatives and friends.
Visitation will be 12-6 Friday, Oct. 14, at Hicks Funeral Home in Hope.Funeral services will be at 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 15, at the Church of God in Tollette with Rev. Charles Green officiating. Burial will follow in the Crofton Cemetery at Tollette.
