Martha Louella Loden

Martha Louella Moore Loden passed on to her heavenly home on February 10, 2023, in Waxahachie, Texas at 93 years of age. She is survived by her three daughters, Deborah Dutschke of Palmer, Sherma and Randy Duck of Cypress, and Beth and Jim Thomas of Waxahachie; six grandchildren, Jeremy Dutschke, Megan Partain, Cimbrey Brannan, Nicholas Duck, Jessica Wallace, and Jarrod Thomas; twelve great-grandchildren, Preston Dutschke, Chandler Dutschke, Hudson Dutschke, James Partain, Ethan Wallace, Elliott Wallace, Braydon Ballard, Jamie Thomas, Jesse Thomas, Zane Brannan, Elise Brannan, and Caroline Brannan; sisters, Jewel Petre Price and Jenny Petre Wertz; and a host of nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 69 years, Robert Sherman Loden, and her parents Marion Andrew Moore and Edna Jewel

Evans Moore Petre.

Martha was born on December 12, 1929, in Turkey, Texas. Her childhood was spent in Commerce, Texas and she attended boarding school at Southwestern Assemblies of God High School in Waxahachie, Texas. She met her husband, Sherman, in June of 1945 at a soda and ice cream shop where she was working. They married in September later that year. They set up housekeeping in a walk-up apartment on Ross Ave. in Dallas where they enjoyed the Fair Park area and anywhere else the streetcars or buses in downtown would take them. Both were employed at the Sears catalog plant on Lamar until 1952 when Martha became a full-time homemaker. As a young, only child, she always said she dreamed of having a family, a home, and a peaceful life.

In 1950, the Lodens moved to Lancaster, Texas where they built a new house on 5th Street. In 1952, they became parents to Deborah Naomi. Sherma Lou was born in 1955 and Bethany Elaine in 1961. With a growing family, the couple moved across town to a new home at 627 Willowood where they stayed until retirement in 1988. Upon retirement, the couple moved to Athens, Texas, and resided there until 2010 when they moved to Waxahachie. Mom enjoyed her community, Country Lane Seniors, in Waxahachie.

Throughout her adult life, her commitment to the Lord, the church, and to people was evident in her actions. She was a friend to children, teens, pastors and their families, and a multitude of folks in the communities of Lancaster, Athens, and Waxahachie. A true servant in word and deed, she was a wonderful example of one serving as the hands and feet of the Lord on this earth. She hosted hundreds of visiting pastors and missionaries in her home and welcomed visitors, both family and friends, all the time. She truly was an excellent hostess and deeply cared about ensuring the comfort and enjoyment of her guests. In addition, she worked with youth and children's ministries in churches she attended with her last trip to a girl's church camp for a week in her early 70s. Throughout her marriage to Sherman and well after his death, she would notice a need and quietly meet it, most often anonymously.

One of her favorite things to do was travel. She and Sherman traveled extensively throughout the United States. She preferred the mountains, but truly enjoyed every new sight and experience as they discovered America. Her only trip by airplane was in 1980 when they traveled to Hawaii. She loved weekend camping trips with her beloved church camping group. The many hours spent with these special friends were among her most cherished memories.

She was always known for boldly professing her relationship with Christ. Most anyone she met for the first time would be asked within minutes, "Are you a Christian?" She never hesitated to invite people to church—not just her church, but to where they would be comfortable worshipping and growing closer to Christ. She devoured scripture and read the Bible in its entirety more times than she could count. She never tired of the Word. Hymns and southern gospel songs were her favorites, but her special praise song was Matt Maher's, "Lord, I Need You." She also loved Johnny Cash’s “I Was There When it Happened.” In her final days, she was still singing praises to her Lord.

She loved her girls, welcomed her sons-in-law into the family with open arms, adored her grandchildren, and cared deeply for her siblings, brothers- and sisters-in-law, and many nieces and nephews. In addition to always teaching her family about living sensibly, she always wanted to help them realize the importance of keeping God at the center of all life's decisions. She was never happier than when in the presence of her family.

Martha Loden had a life well-lived, a blessed assurance, and hope in heaven. Her most fervent prayer was that YOU know Jesus Christ and experience His love and forgiveness just as she did. She is indeed, at rest and at peace. Psalm 91, her favorite chapter in the Bible, says:

1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. 3 Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. 4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. 5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; 6 Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. 7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. 8 Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked. 9 Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation; 10 There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. 11 For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. 12 They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone. 13 Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet. 14 Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. 15 He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. 16 With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.

In lieu of flowers, Martha requested donations be made to the music ministry of Farley Baptist Church, 1116 Brown St., Waxahachie, Texas, 75165.