Martha Elvira Johnson
August 1, 1921 – May 22, 2021
Martha Elvira Johnson died Saturday, May 22, 2021 in Edmond, Oklahoma at the age of 99. Martha was born in Independence, Missouri on August 1, 1921, to Ella Seevers Johnson and David Johnson. Martha was the first of three girls, and the sisters were very close until the deaths of Rosella Johnson Epperson in 2014 and Olive Johnson Nugent Wyrick in 2019. Martha graduated from the Kansas City Teachers’ College in 1943 and began teaching in the Kansas City Missouri Public School System. In 1948 she moved to Denver, Colorado to teach in the Denver Public School System, which she did for the next 30 years. She also earned her Master’s in Education degree at Denver University in 1955.
Martha loved to teach, and she especially loved teaching younger children. She took piano lessons so that she could teach Kindergarten and taught it for most of her teaching career. Martha was also very involved in the Warren United Methodist Church. It was members of Warren Church, which included Martha, whose vision and leadership led to the establishment in 1974 of Warren Village, a nonprofit transitional apartment and education center for single-parent families who have experienced home insecurity. Parents are provided with education, career and financial counseling, and life skills and parenting classes. Children are provided with quality early childhood education and tutoring for older children, as well as social services, all while the family is living in a safe and supportive environment in their own apartment. This holistic approach sets families up for success, and former resident families are able to thrive independently.
Martha was an avid reader, gardener, traveler, and life-long volunteer. She enjoyed her Summers off traveling with her parents or other family and friends and went to New Zealand for her first retirement trip. She was a member of PEO, United Methodist Women, and various academic and professional groups. She gave special time and attention to her nine nieces and nephews when they young, taking them on special outings, and particularly enjoyed their visits to her in Denver. She visited family in Kansas City and Oklahoma City frequently.
She is preceded in death by her parents, sisters, and nephew Wayne Epperson. She is survived by Wayne’s wife Kelly Epperson, and other nieces and nephews Les Nugent (Danelle), Bruce Epperson (Geneva), Peggy Epperson (Craig Challander), Steve Epperson (Mary), Karen Nugent, Kathy Rodriguez, David Epperson, and Sheryl Pugh (Rob). She also leaves cousin Glenna Corn (Gordon), as well as many great-nieces and great-nephews, friends, and former students.
A hybrid virtual and in-person service will be on June 12 at 1:00 PM at Matthews Memorial Chapel, 601 S. Kelly Ave, Edmond, OK, or using the link they provide for the virtual service. A private burial will be at Greenlawn Memorial Gardens in Kansas City, Mo. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Warren Village Learning Center in Martha’s memory are suggested: www.warrenvillage.org , or 1323 Gilpin St., Denver, CO, 80218-2552.
We will be live streaming this service in an effort to accommodate those people that wish to attend but feel they should not due to health regulations. To watch the service CLICK HERE to go to our YouTube page. Click on ‘Videos’, then ‘Live Streams’.
Aunt Marnie, as most of us called Martha, was such a sweet person. She never missed sending all of her nephews & nieces something for Christmas and we usually also got a card on Valentines day. Geneva enjoyed many conversations with her about family history & ancestry plus they shared a love of gardening and flowers. She would share about her activities in her church and that was important to her because she was a devoted Christian.
She had a strong bond with her parents and sisters when they were alive. She was so sharp and very interesting to talk to. We missed out on being able to see her except when in Oklahoma since we live in Tennessee and regret not being able to spend more time with her during her latter years. I remember her telling us, after she moved into Epworth, that she enjoyed walking daily outside when weather permitted. We loved Aunt Marnie, she was precious and we will always miss her. Heaven got an angel of a lady when she arrived!
In loving memory of a great lady,
Bruce & Geneva Epperson
We knew Martha through volunteering at Warren Village, and especially enjoyed seeing her at the Christmas Shop for residents and their children. By the time we knew her, she was less physically active, but completely involved mentally and emotionally. , Everyone loved her Christmas cookies with a secret ingredient! She inspired us to give our best to the success of Warren Village residents. We were sorry when she decided to move to be closer to her nephew, but that was the best decision for her. She was a smart, funny, devout, hard working, accomplished woman with a deep love for the people close to her and, indeed, for the wider world. Rest in peace, Martha.
Chuck & Carol Jansch,
Thank you for your so sweet & kind comment about our Aunt Martha. She did truly have such a giving & caring heart!
Bruce & Geneva Epperson
James Bouska and Judy Kane
We met Martha through Warren Church, and Coupon clipping group. We knew her at least 5 years. She was such a great lady, She will be missed. Thanks for the live stream. We really enjoyed it.
James and Judy,
We’re so glad you could join us! Aunt Martha loved Warren Church, and she had been a member for more than 60 years! She was indeed a really remarkable person, and we were glad to have the chance to celebrate her life and legacy. Thank you for letting us know you were able to attend, and for your memories of Martha.
Karen Nugent and family
I have wondered about Ms. Johnson for years and was thankful to have found her online memorial posting though I am sad for her family that she is gone. I want her family to know that she was an excellent neighbor to my parents, especially in their elder years. Something she did that was so meaningful to me was that, after my parents had passed, she saved a picture of the Maroon Bells that had hung in my parents’ living room. She saved it to give to me. I will always remember her for that touching gesture.