Martha Speer Eskridge

Martha Louise Speer Eskridge was born September 23, 1922 in Comanche, Oklahoma to James Paul and Louise (Yates) Speer. She passed away early Friday morning on December 19, 2014 at St. Simeon's Episcopal Home in Tulsa. Martha was raised in Comanche and graduated from high school there in 1940. She furthered her education at the University of Oklahoma where she met her husband. Martha married Tilford Hillis Eskridge, Jr. on June 8, 1942. Her husband was wounded in North Africa during WWII that resulted in their being relocated to Ft. Knox, Kentucky. Martha completed her Bachelor's degree in History from the University of Louisville and a member of the Alpha Chi Omega sorority. She later earned her Master's degree in History from the University of Tulsa in 1969.

Martha led a wonderful life. She sang in the choir at Boston Avenue United Methodist Church for 30 years. She was also very active in the Wesley Fellowship Sunday school class and the United Methodist Women. Prior to teaching piano lessons at the Lakeside Children's Home, the Lord revealed to her, "The fields are white with harvest and the laborers are few." Martha loved to sail, play golf, and tennis. Martha was a Gille and Docent at Gilcrease for over 25 years, a member of the Choraliers, as well as the Cerebral Palsy Association. She was known to be a great hostess and hosted an annual caroling party for 50 years. Martha and Hillis traveled the world together among many other activities. As a close friend once commented, "She was a fireball and a good balance for Hillis."

Martha was preceded in death by her parents; her brothers J.P. Speer II, John B. Speer, and Louis Kincaid Speer; and her husband. She is survived by her children Judy Ferguson and her husband Rowe of Big Delta, Alaska, Marian Sexton of Tulsa, and Walter Eskridge and his wife Evelyn of Edmond; her grandchildren Clint Ferguson and his wife Heather of Fitzgerald, Georgia, Sarah Spurek and her husband Tim of Keifer, Oklahoma, Ben Ferguson of Big Delta, Alaska, David Sexton and his wife Laurel of Fayetteville, Arkansas, Jeff Sexton and his wife Angela of Tulsa, Justin Eskridge and his wife Genevieve of Tulsa, Don Eskridge of Seoul, Korea, Laura Daniels and her husband Justin Rin of Bonaire, Georgia; her great-grandchildren Hunter, Halle, Austin, Ashley, Cassie, Brianna, Xander, Jonah, one great-grandchild on the way; and her sisters-in-law Estelene Eskridge Baxter and Blanche (Dikki) Speer.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Christopher W. Teel of Schaudt-Teel Funeral Service at Memorial Park. A private family committal ceremony will be held at Memorial Park Cemetery in Tulsa. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM on Monday, December 22 at the Boston Avenue United Methodist Church.