TECUMSEH – Martha Ellen (Lilley) Hinkle, age 67, of Tecumseh, OK passed away, Friday, February 18, 2022.
Born August 1, 1954 in Wichita Falls, TX, Martha was the youngest child of John Vincent Lilley and Nancy Melba (Clark) Lilley. She grew up on the family farm in Burkburnett, TX.
The family moved to Oklahoma City in 1959 and were active members of Trinity Baptist Church. She started school at Gatewood Elementary. Martha graduated from Classen High School in 1972. She attended Oklahoma State University and graduated in 1977 with a degree in Housing and Interior Design. Martha and Greg met in Stillwater and their love blossomed.
Martha and Greg were married on December 30, 1977 at Council Road Baptist Church in Oklahoma City. She worked as a legal secretary until they moved to Fort Gibson, OK. They were members of Eastern Heights Baptist Church in Muskogee, OK. Martha worked as a church secretary in Muskogee until the birth of Jeff. She returned to work, applying her degree as an interior design consultant, at Cook Paint and Sherwin Williams. A stillborn son,“Baby Sis” came next, and then the joy of Brian’s arrival. Later, Martha worked as a legal secretary and secretary for First Baptist Church of Fort Gibson.
In 2001 Martha and Greg moved to Tecumseh, OK. They are members of Tecumseh First Baptist Church and she served as secretary for many years. In 2006 they moved to Sulphur, OK. and Martha worked at the elementary school until her retirement. They returned to Tecumseh in 2008 and have resided there until her passing.
She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Nancy Lilley; infant son, Baby Sis; and her in-laws, Raymond and Ann Hinkle.
Martha is survived by her husband Greg, of the home; son, Jeffrey and Alicia and grandson, Raymond Hinkle of Colorado Springs, CO, son, Brian Hinkle of Oklahoma City, OK; sister, Linda Higginbotham and husband Dale of Natchitoches, LA; brother, Robert Lilley of Brodhead, WI; and sister, Kathleen Olmstead and husband Bob of Norman, OK. Martha had many more cousins, in-laws, nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews and a great grandniece. She will be missed by her church family and numerous friends.
Visitation will be Thursday, March 3, 2022 from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. with the family gathering to meet with friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Memorial service will be 1:00 p.m. on Friday, March 4, 2022 at Tecumseh First Baptist Church with Reverend Tony Peak and Reverend Larry Sparks officiating. Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Park in Norman, OK under the direction of Cooper Funeral Home of Tecumseh. Memorial donations preferred to Camp Sweeney in Whitesboro, Texas, mailing address: P.O. Box 918, Gainesville, TX 76241, (campeysweeney.org).
To share memories, or to sign the guest book on-line, go to www.cooperfuneral.com.
