Atteberry, Mrs. Frank M. (Atteberry, Martha
Ann)
Martha Ann (BEAR) Atteberry, born April 2, 1876
near Iberia, Miller County, Missouri, the daughter of Absalom and Mary
Catherine (SPEARMAN) Bear and the fourth of their children.
The Bears moved from Ohio and the Spearmans from
Tennessee to Missouri in the early 1800's. Martha finished the academy
at Iberia, then taught school in Miller County a few years prior to going
to Indian Territory in 1904 as a teacher through the Indian Agency. She
taught at Krebs (near McAlester), near Durant, and in Atoka County at Balls
Chapel (now Valley View) and last at Old Standing Rock. She married Frank
M. Atteberry at Lehigh in 1907. The mother of three daughters and three
sons, she was a tireless and devoted mother who asked no odds and
gave none.
She was always ready and willing to help others—which
she often did. A devout Christian, she loved children. Unassuming, yet,
willing and ready to counsel others. Articulate on politics and religion.
She enjoyed good health all of her life except for a brief period in the
middle 20's. She could ride a horse well at 80, and at 91, she was still
preparing most of her own meals and participating in general house work.
She enjoyed life and played hard—and by the rules. I seriously suspect
that in later
years she did much regret that she did not devote her life to education
and philosophy.
Except for the years 1917, 23, and 28, she was a
resident of Atoka County her entire married life, and lived 43 of those
years on the same place in the Standing Rock Community. In February, 1963
she moved with her husband to live with their daughter, Norma Haberman
in Vallejo, California. Soon thereafter, in May, 1963 her husband died.
Then in a very short time, her youngest daughter, Gretchen, came to live
with her and Norma in Vallejo. That arrangement continued until August,
1966 when Gretchen, because of a change of employment, moved to San Jose,
CA. Then, in July, 1967, she made her home with her son, Doyle and his
wife Penny , at Napa, CA where she resided until the time of her death.
She showed evidence of weakness and loss of stability
on Tuesday, September the 12th and worsened on the following day. Although
much improved, she was taken to the Richmond General Hospital Thursday
the suffered a light stroke…After entry into the hospital, she commenced
having a series of light strokes periodically which the doctor could not
prevent. Her short period of illness in the hospital was with excellent
care and was little suffering or pain. She died quietly on November 1.
She is survived by two daughters Norma Atteberry
Haberman, Vallejo, CA, and Gretchen Atteberry Thomas, Hayward, CA, and
two sons Orval Atteberry of Pasadena, TX, and Doyle Atteberry, Napa, CA.
A grandson, Donald J. Sanders, Donaldsonville, LA, Granddaughters, Arlene
Fauncille Haberman Kirgan, Fairfield, CA, Mrs. Dorothy Atteberry Goucher
of Pasadena, TX,
and Mrs. Peggy Atteberry Mason of Reno, Nevada. Three great grandchildren,
the daughter and two sons of Mrs. Kirgan and one sister Zella Livingston.
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