Martha Virginia Lansdale

Memorial service for Martha Lansdale, 97, will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 30, 2020 at the First United Methodist Church in Gilmer with Rev. Matthew Smith and Annette Brazeale officiating under the direction of Croley Funeral Home. She passed away at her home, May 6, 2020, surrounded by her loving family. A private graveside service will be held at Sunset Memorial Park in Gilmer.
Martha was born to Reese and Sybil (McClelland) Epperson on January 25, 1923 in Shreveport, Louisiana; however, she spent the remainder of her life in Gilmer. She married Billy Joe Lansdale in 1954, and raised two children, Robert (Bob) Eugene Lansdale and Claudia Lee (Lansdale) Darnell.
She was a graduate of Gilmer High School in 1940 and became the first employee of Etex Telephone Coop in 1954 where she was their bookkeeper until her retirement in 1993. After retirement she volunteered for the Library’s Literacy Program, teaching English to Hispanic students and preparing them to obtain a GED.
She has been a member of the First United Methodist Church in Gilmer since early childhood and was a member of both Mensa and Intertel societies for intellectually gifted individuals.
Martha was the kindest, most positive person most people have ever met and could rarely be seen without a smile on her face. She was a great cook and often fed many people who may or may not have been expected, ranging from family, friends, her children’s friends, her grandchildren’s friends or even complete strangers. She has a tremendous impact and was loved by many. Martha was an artist whose paintings and creations of all kinds filled her home and reflected her joy.
In addition to her husband and her parents, Martha was preceded in death by her sister, Mary Lee Baird and her husband, Jack “Spot” Baird, her only brother, Robert (Bob) Epperson and his wife, Ahleen of Winter Haven, Florida, and her great-nephew, Luke Baird, many aunts, uncles, and cousins.
She is survived by her loving and devoted children, Bob Lansdale and his wife, Sue McCurry Lansdale, and Claudia Darnell of Gilmer, her grandchildren, Christopher M. Darnell and his wife Jennifer of Arlington, Adam Lansdale, Devin W. Darnell and his wife Allison of Dallas, Lacy (Lansdale) Lewis and her husband Jeff, great-grandchildren, Gillian Martha Darnell, Cameron Gouak, Mason Manning, Landon Manning, Noah Christopher Darnell, Braden Lansdale, Malins Lee Darnell, Briggs Wayne Darnell; many relatives and friends whom she cared for deeply and who will cherish her memory
The family wishes to express their appreciation to Traditions Health, Jackie Baird, Patti Harris, Brenda Kavanaugh and Lou Davis for their loving care during Martha’s illness.
To honor Martha’s memory, her family requests that you make donations to your church, the charity of your choice, or the Upshur County Library.