Martha Ferrell

Martha Huffman Ferrell (90) was born July 6, 1933 to the late Jay C. and Kate Huffman. She passed peacefully in her sleep on August 29, 2023. She was a proud wife, mother, grandmother, friend and nearly-adoptive mother to countless others. Throughout her years, Martha had friends of every generation. Martha grew up in Konawa, OK, but moved to Shawnee, OK soon after, where she graduated high school in 1951. She attended Christian College in Columbia, MO for one year before she transferred and graduated from the University of Oklahoma in 1955 with a degree in social work. At OU, she was an active member of the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority. Martha married Robert Ferrell on May 21, 1955. The two were married for 62 years until his death. Martha and Bob lived in Wildflecken, Germany for a year and a half while Bob served in the Army on active duty. After Bob's military service ended, they moved back to Hobart, OK. Upon returning to the states, Martha felt the calling to be both a teacher and a mentor. In 1967, she obtained her teaching certificate from Southwestern State University. Martha taught elementary school for 23 years. Although she began at Sentinel, Oklahoma in 1967, Martha spent most of her teaching career at Hobart Elementary School. Martha taught at Hobart from 1968 to 1990. One of Martha's best gifts as a teacher was her wonderful ability to remember the name of every single student she taught, along with the names of their parents and siblings. Her love of learning was instilled in her grandchildren as they became an attorney, physician and registered nurse of which she was very proud.
Martha kept a paper calendar until the day she passed, where activities filled the daily pages to the brim. Martha was an active member of the Hobart First United Methodist Church and wrote cards to those in need until her final days as part of the SPA prayer group. Beyond her involvement at her church, Martha participated in multiple educational organizations. She engaged in the Oklahoma Retired Educators Association and served as a past board member of Great Plains Youth and Family Services. Martha was also a member of PEO for 72 years, where she served as a past president. Despite her busy calendar, Martha made time for friends and acquaintances. She was an avid bridge player and loved to teach others how to play the game of bridge. In her later years she loved the card game "golf," where the Golf Card Ladies played together Thursday afternoons.

Martha is survived by her sister and brother-in-law Mary and Charles Hill of Shawnee OK; son Dr. Mark and wife, Brenda Ferrell of Eufaula OK; daughter Lisa and husband, Monte Hepner of Freedom, OK. Also surviving are three grandchildren, including Hammons Hepner of Kansas City, MO; Drs. Matthew and Sydney Ferrell of Burlington, VT; Katie and Johnny Wilson of Mustang, OK and many nieces, a nephew and an abundance of friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Ferrell, and her parents.
Celebration of Life: 11:00am Thursday, November 2, 2023 Ray & Martha's Funeral Home, Hobart, OK
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to:
Hobart United Methodist Church - The Circle of Care, 201 S Washington, Hobart, OK 73651 or Great Plains Youth and Family Services, 901 S Broadway Ave, Hobart, OK 73651.
The family wishes to extend a special thanks to all those who helped Martha stay living at her home for 67 years.