A single mother of 2, at the age of 23, she did what she thought she could never have the confidence or strength to do. She knew early on that if this was to be her journey, she needed to trust in Jesus to carry her. Her struggles were real but her light shined in spite of her circumstances. She was God’s own.
She will always be remembered for her unique gift with children - God’s most precious token. Any child could look in to her eyes and see love, trust and safety - every child was important to her. She taught 2 year olds in Sunday school at First Southern Baptist Church in Del City for over 25 years. She then opened Aunt Martha’s Day Care in Del City and had over 20 children enrolled with a long waiting list. Her daycare and Sunday school children are adults now and are, no doubt, better for having her in their lives.
She was equally talented in administration. In her early years, she managed a Big 8 accounting firm in Oklahoma City and finished her career managing the office for her daughter’s financial planning firm.
She will always be remembered for her gentleness, kindness, humility, meekness and especially for her unique gift of giving. It was her greatest joy.
Martha is survived by her daughters, Penny Guerriero and Patricia Goodman; grandchildren: John Ryan Goodman, Nikki Kleffner, Chelsea Goodman and Apryl Guerriero; four great-grandchildren: Jace Johnson, Journey Johnson, Aria Goodman and Channing Johnson; brother, Robert Hickman; and many nieces and nephews.