Martha Polk

Martha Nelle Burton Polk, age 83, a longtime resident of Bartlesville died Monday March 17, 2008 at Jane Phillips Medical Center in Bartlesville. She was born January 17, 1925 in Canyon, Texas the daughter of Samuel David Burton and Nellie Jarvis Burton. Her birth was announced at half-time at a basketball game at West Texas State College where her father was the coach. Martha was educated at West Texas State University, quite literally. She went from Kindergarten through Graduate School and taught three years, there all on one campus. She held a B.S. in Home Economics and a Masters Degree in Chemistry from that institution. She taught Science and Math in their Demonstration School for three years. While in college she was a member of Kappa Omicron Phi, Alpha Chi, Phi Beta Gamma, and Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities. Later she was listed in Distinguished Women of the South. Martha Nelle married Walter Brashear Polk on May 27, 1949 in Canyon, Texas. They established their home in Borger, Texas for a number of years where he was employed by Phillips Petroleum Co. In 1964 they were transferred to Bartlesville where they continued to live, except for three years they were stationed in England and Belgium. He preceded her in death in November of 2006. She was quite active in several organizations in Bartlesville and had belonged to Daughters of the American Revolution, United Daughters of the Confederacy, First Families of the Twin Territories, First families of Texas Daughters of the Republic of Texas and Daughters of the Founders and Patriots and was a charter Member of the Bartlesville Genealogical Society. She also served for many years in the Altar Guild of and sang in the choir at St. Luke's Episcopal Church. Her greatest interests were in fine needlework and genealogy along with maintaining a happy and hospitable home. Martha Nelle leaves behind a daughter, Ann Polk of Phoenix, Arizona Memorials may be made to the Historical and Genealogy Department, Bartlesville Public Library. Those who would like to make a donation may do so in care of the Bartlesville Library, 600 SE Johnstone Bartlesville OK 74003. A memorial service will be held Thursday March 20, 2008 at St. Luke's Episcopal Church at 2:30 p.m. with The Reverend Robert Evans, The Rev. Dr. T. Lee Stephens and Rev. James Meimerstorf officiating. Cremation arrangements were entrusted to the Neekamp - Luginbuel Funeral Home. Online condolences may be left at www.honoringmemories.com.

Service Details

Thursday, March 20th, 2008 2:30pm, St. Luke's Episcopal Church

Interment Details

St. Luke's Episcopal Church