MEADE – Lavona Jane Martin, age 69, died early Saturday morning, December 29, 2012, at the Meade District Hospital, Meade, Kansas.

She was born April 8, 1943, at Leedy, Oklahoma, the daughter of Clarence and Viola Bell (Selby) Samples. As a young girl she attended the Selman school system, graduating from Selman High School. She later attended Panhandle State University, Goodwell, Oklahoma, receiving her Bachelor of Arts degree in Education.

On May 28, 1961 she married George L. Martin at Buffalo, Oklahoma. After their marriage the couple lived in Lakin, Kansas, where she taught school for several years before moving to Meade on November 21, 1968. She was a seamstress and interior decorator for many years and was co-owner of Martin Paint and Decorating.

She was a member of St. John Lutheran Church, LWML, Thrivent, the Federated Junior League, and had served on the USD 226 Board of Education for eight years. She enjoyed gardening, sewing, decorating, and spending time with her family and friends.

She is survived by:
Her husband, George L. Martin of Meade, Kansas

Her children, Gary Martin of Solomon, Kansas
Marc Martin of Ellsworth, Kansas
Sherri Smith of Wichita, Kansas
John Martin of Baltimore, Maryland

Three sisters, Teresa Samples of Enid, Oklahoma
Minnie Gilbert of End, Oklahoma
Larue Phillips of Roosevelt, Utah

Nine grandchildren Three Great-grandchildren

She is preceded in death by her parents; and two sisters, Sue Mauldin and Joyce Crow.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, January 2, 2013, at St. John Lutheran Church, Meade, with the Reverend Lynn E. Spencer presiding. Friends may call from 12:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Tuesday at Fidler-Orme-Bachman Mortuary, Meade. Interment will follow in the Graceland Cemetery, Meade.

The family would welcome memorials to the St. John Lutheran Church Building Fund in care of the funeral home.