Martha Lorene Estes- Holland

Martha Lorene Estes-Holland was born on June 27th, 1917 in Stroud,OK the daughter of Ples Henderson and Martha (Moett) Estes. Martha attended and graduated from school in Stroud, OK. On August 19th, 1937, she married Gurves Levi Holland and together they shared 56 years of life together. Following WWII, Martha and Gurves relocated to California and owned and operated “Holland’s Market Grocery” in Modesto, CA for over 18 years. Martha was the book keeper, the clerk and the manager. She was friendly and loved people, and was equally determined and possessed a strong personal character. Later, Martha would work at the Sharp Army Depot until her retirement in 1972. During this time, Martha and Gurves relocated to Tahlequah, OK and retired. She wasted no time in making homemade blackberry jam for her friends and family. Equally good was the pies that came from her kitchen. Martha loved to spend time with her family fishing. Then, the church would be treated to a down home fish fry with all the trimmings. She was kind and generous to all she met. When she wasn’t working, Martha loved to sew and her quilting was honored at the State Fair, for her intricate work and design. Gurves passed from this life in 1994. Martha then enjoyed her remaining years with her family whom she loved dearly. A Christian by faith, Martha was a member of the Northside Baptist Church and enjoyed time with her church family. On January 31st, 2012, Martha was called home from her labors in Muskogee, OK with her family at her side. She was 94 years old.

Martha is preceded in death by her parents, her loving husband Gurves, one sister Eloise Estes and two brothers, Herman Estes and Samuel Estes.

Those left to cherish Martha’s memory include her four sisters, Frances Oliver of Stroud, OK, Celia Ann Arnold of Bella Vista, AR, Betty Kelley of Tahlequah, OK, and Marjorie Plamann of Kansas City, KS, as well as nephew Jerry Campbell and wife Jane of Noble, LA, many cousins and a host of friends and loved ones.