Martha Jane Headley-Smith
August 7th, 1927 - August 31st, 2025Martha, age 98, passed from this earth to be with Jesus at her devoted daughter Deborah's home surrounded by loved ones.
Martha was born in Athens, Ohio, 3rd child to Ross Wyatt and Pearl Belle Robinson-Headley. Later moving to Columbus, Ohio where she attended school and worked at the Woolworth perfume department as a "hankey girl".
Martha was united in marriage to Charles William C.W. "Hank" Smith Jr. starting their lives Cadis, Ohio later moving to Peru, Indiana, raising three children. Martha attended Peru First Christian Church, taught Sunday School, worked with youth group, youth and adult choirs, VBS, the Coffee House for Street Kid Ministries, as well as the Suicide Prevention Hotline. Avid volunteer and member and member of the Republican Women's Voters. She loved planting flowers, spent countless hours at the Yogi Bear Campground, camping every Summer and being a part of the "Almond" family.
Martha worked in dietary positions at Ridgeview, both Jr. and Senior High Schools, and the director of the Senior Citizens Center at Peru YMCA. She oversaw many banquets, as well as maintenance and janitorial duties. She was a founding member of Cornerstone Church in Peru.
Martha moved to Rich Hill, Missouri to be near family after retirement. She became a member of the Rich Hill Christian Church and settled into the community she considered home. She was involved in many groups, the Rich Hill Garden Club, Liaison Council, loved the library and Ms. Dixie, cleaned various businesses and teh Security Bank.
She was preceded in death by her parents R.W. and Pearl Belle Headley, both her brothers Harold E. Headley and wives Romette and Ruth, William P. "Billy" and wife Orpha, husband Charles William "Hank" Smith Jr., niece Janis R. Trudo, and precious grandson Taylor Wyatt Smith. Survived by one son, Bruce Lynn and wife Brenda Smith of Florence, Kentucky, two daughters Deborah Sue and husband Joseph Zollman of Brownsburg, Indiana, and Beth Ann and husband "Big Ern" Ernest Doody of Rich Hill, Missouri. Grandchildren Tracy Danielle, Steven Dale, Shaylee Hope Doody and Liza Marie Hofmann. Great grandchildren Joseph Blake, Steven Case, Korben Ray, Michael Barney, Maegan Danielle, Lucy Jo and Oliver Thomas. One special "extra" daughter "Sylvia Kay', one niece Erin Jearn and husband David Trudo and one nephew Randy and wife Carol Headley.
Martha wished to be cremated so no services as of now. A memorial celebration will be held at a later date.
Special thank-you's go to Rian and a team of caregivers and all those dear friends that supported Martha in her last days.
