Martha Alice Waggoner, a resident of Willow Springs, MO, passed away Monday, June 14, 2021, while at Ozarks Healthcare in West Plains. She was born August 17, 1927, to Joseph L. Gavin and Ada Irene (Kennedy) Gavin at the home of her grandparents, James Lincoln Kennedy and Elnore-Annie (Brotherton) Kennedy in Hamill, Tripp County, South Dakota. She was 93 years old.
At the age of 6 weeks, she returned with her parents to their home in Fort Worth, TX. Her family moved to Willow Springs in November 1943. She graduated WSHS with the Class of 1945. On June 24, 1946, she married Jay Eldon Waggoner, son of Paul Raymond Waggoner and Grace Dade (Radford) Waggoner. Their only child is Jay Eldon Waggoner, Jr. Together, Martha and Jay, Sr. owned and operated Waggoner Lumber Company for many years. She will be dearly missed by her family, her friends, and all who knew and loved her.
Martha was preceded in death by her husband of 66 ½ years; her parents; her sister, Eleanor Elizabeth Fletcher; and her brother, Joe L. Gavin, Jr.
She is survived by her son, Jay E. Waggoner and his wife, Teresa; two granddaughters: Martha Ann (Waggoner) Stolba and her husband, Brad, and Susan Irene Waggoner; one grandson, Paul Ross Waggoner and his wife, Logan; three great-grandsons: Derick Clinton Stolba, Liam Jay and Collin James Waggoner. Further survivors include two step-granddaughters: Jennifer and her husband, Jeff; Shannon, and her husband, Anthony, and their children, Ethan and Daisy; two step-great-grandchildren: Lindsay and her husband, Cody and daughter, Anzlee and son Jeb and Eric and his wife, Hannah and children, Eli and Callie; and her sister-in-law, Clara Vell Thomas. She is also survived by her very special nieces and nephews: Janet Shaw, Teresa Brixey, Jim Thomas, Jim Fletcher, and Luther Fletcher.
A family night/visitation for Martha will be held on Monday, June 21, 2021, from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M. at Willow Funeral Home, LLC. Funeral services will be on Tuesday, June 22, 2021, at 10:00 A.M. also at the funeral home with Pastor Joel Hinds officiating. Interment will be in the Willow Springs City Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Willow Funeral Home, LLC. Online condolences may be left at www.willowspringsfuneralhome.com
