Martha Wray James

Martha Wray James, 94, of Ozark passed away peacefully at the Baptist Home in Ozark on Saturday, July 6, 2013. She was born September 28, 1918 in Ozark, the daughter and only child of John and Bessie Wray. Martha graduated from Ozark High School and was a member of the First Baptist Church in Ozark. After graduating with a Teaching Degree from Southwest Missouri State, she taught for two years in Neosho, Mo, where she met her husband Carl. She returned to Ozark and lived in the same house she was born in until 2000, when she moved to Springfield and became a member of the Temple Baptist Church. Martha and Carl raised one son, Richard. Martha was preceded in death by her husband in 2006. Martha taught for 41 years with all but the first two years spent in the Ozark school system. She was passionate about teaching and devoted to the many students who attended her classes over those years. After she retired from full time teaching, she was a substitute teacher and tutor until 2000, with her teaching expanding to include refugee families from Vietnam. Martha is survived by her son, Richard, of Canonsburg, PA. She also leaves behind two grandchildren, Patricia Weik of McLean, VA, and Todd James of Houston, PA, and four great grandchildren, Grace and Patrick Weik and Ryan and Erin James. She will be greatly missed by her family, friends, and the hundreds of students that were enriched by her in her teaching career. Visitation will be held Friday, July12, 2013, from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M, at Adams Funeral Home in Ozark. A private memorial service will be held at the Baptist Home, interment will be at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery, by her husband. Martha and her family request that donations be made to the Baptist Home in lieu of flowers. Arrangements are under the direction of Adams Funeral Home, Ozark.