Betty T. “Nanga” Martin, 95, went Home to the Lord Saturday, Feb. 12 while at Oakdale Nursing Facility in Judsonia, Arkansas.
She was born July 27, 1926 in Pontiac, Michigan to C.B. (Preacher) and Lola (Roopie) Thomas. The child of a minister, she grew up in Michigan, Oklahoma, Texas and Missouri. She was a long-time member of the Highland Drive Church of Christ in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, before moving to Searcy, Arkansas where she was a member of the Cloverdale Church of Christ.
“Nanga” spent her career as an educator and was named Teacher of the Year while teaching at Eugene Field in Poplar Bluff, Missouri. After retiring from teaching in Poplar Bluff, she moved to Searcy and began substituting in the Searcy Public Schools.
She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Tom and DeeAnn Martin of Searcy; “Nanga” to granddaughters, Allison Simmons of Searcy and Caroline (Brian) Cormack of Little Rock, Arkansas; and “GaGa” to great-grandsons, JT, Isaac and Luke Simmons and Jonah and Elliott Cormack, nieces and nephews, a host of friends and co-workers in education.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Claude B. Thomas, Jr. (“Brother”), her cousin like a brother, Buddy Randall Venters, special nieces and traveling partners, Helen Howland and Jeannie Thomas.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 5, in the Family Life Center at the Downtown Church. As per her request, this will be followed by a celebration of life reception.
Dress will be casual and she would love for her fellow teachers and former students to wear your school shirts, and everyone to wear bright colors and no black.
The family asks that masks be worn.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Sullivan Funeral Care – Memorial Chapel & Crematory.