Martha Pearl Alford

Martha Pearl Clark Alford passed away in her home on May 29, 2014 with her family by her side. She was under Hospice care after being diagnosed with acute leukemia. She lived 81 years, ten months and 9 days. She was born July 20, 1932 at home on the family farm in Love County, in the community of Leon, Oklahoma. She was the third child born to Ora Inez and Earl Lee Clark. She grew up during the Great Depression, the Dust Bowl and World War II. She and her family endured many of the same hardships of most who lived in those times. She attended Leon Baptist Church and became a Christian at age fourteen. She graduated from Leon High School in May of 1949 at age 16. She was a good athlete participating in basketball, softball and track. Right after graduation she went to work for Southwestern Bell Telephone Company in Ardmore, Oklahoma. She married Millard Jones on August 9, 1950 and made their home in Springer, Oklahoma. Two children were born of that union, Doris Kay Jones and Howard Lee Jones. The family moved to Hobart in 1959. She stayed at home with the children until going to work for Dr. Van Howard and Dr. Malcolm Bridwell at the Village Medical Clinic. She went on to work at the First National Bank in Hobart for many years. She married Tracy Alford on April 29, 1977 and moved to Cortez, Colorado. She worked at the Citizens State Bank in Cortez for twenty years before retiring from banking. She then worked in the Native American Gift Shop in Cortez part time. She and Tracy moved back to Hobart in 2000. She wanted to be involved in the community and stay active so she became employed by the Hobart Democrat Chief and remained so until a short time before her death. She became very attached to those she worked with and enjoyed what she did there. She and Tracy recently celebrated thirty-seven years together and these were the happiest years of her life. She enjoyed family, friends, flowers and fishing and was exceptional in all these areas. Her faith in the Lord was her greatest strength every day but never more than when she was diagnosed with a fatal illness. Even when faced with death, she was an inspiration to us all. All she asked for was God's grace on her friends and family and for a trout stream in Heaven. She was a sports fan and liked the Bearcats, the Sooners, the Texas Rangers and the Oklahoma City Thunder. Besides her family, she held many people close to her. There are some that had a special place inside her heart and they know who they are. She will be remembered for a genuine compassion for others and her cheerful spirit.


She is survived by her husband, Tracy Alford, her son Hank Jones and wife Martha of Hobart, her daughter Doris Jones Springli and husband Jack of Lake Charles, La., two sisters, Lula Belle Lovell of Ardmore, Ok., Barbara Knowles and husband Wendell of Lone Grove, Ok., a sister-in-law, Dee Clark of Ardmore, four nieces, three nephews, five grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, other relatives and many dear friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, one brother, Eldon Lee Clark of Ardmore, and one sister, Gladys Jo Suggs of Ardmore.

Family will meet and greet friends 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., Sunday, June 1, 2014 at Ray & Martha's Funeral Chapel, Hobart

Funeral Services: 2:00 p.m., Monday, June 2, 2014
Washington Street Baptist Church, Hobart, OK
Officiating: Rev. Chris Block
Burial will follow at Lone Wolf Cemetery, Lone Wolf, OK under the direction of Ray & Martha's Funeral Home, Hobart.