Martha Ann (Barber) Rader was born to Claude and Pearl Barber of Polk, MO, on April 12, 1938.  She peacefully departed this life on January 30, 2024, at Parkview Healthcare Facility Bolivar, MO, following a lengthy illness.

Martha Ann married Ervin Rader on October 3, 1959, and to this union were born two children, June, and Jimmy.

Martha was saved August 1954, at Mt. View Missionary Baptist Church, at Polk, MO.  She joined the church and was baptized at Jefferson Bridge by Brother Abe Wagoner, where she remained a member until she moved her membership to Campbell Grove Missionary Baptist Church Bolivar, MO, in August 2019, where she remained a member until her death.

Martha Ann grew up on a farm and knew what hard work was.  After Martha Ann and Ervin married, they bought a farm at Polk, MO, and milked cows, raised pigs, chickens, rabbits, and goats.  They raised and harvested crops.  They left the farm life to become city folk, in Springfield, MO.  That didn’t last long because farm and country life were in their blood.  They bought acreage and moved back to Bolivar, MO, where they again raised cows, chickens, turkeys, peacocks, ducks, goats, and few stray cats.  Martha Ann loved to quilt, embroidery and crochet.  She has left many quilts for generations to come.  She loved crafts and could turn anything into something.  Her and Ervin worked side by side making crafts and setting up at craft shows to sell their jewels.  She was also an avid gardener and always had a cellar full of home canned vegetables and berries.  She was an excellent cook, and always made sure when you left her house, you were so full you couldn’t move.  Martha Ann’s health was fading and was no longer able to be cared for by her family and had to be placed in a healthcare facility.  This was extremely hard on Ervin, but he never missed a day visiting her.  Their love for each other is strong, and it showed in their lives.

Martha Ann loved her family unconditionally with all her heart and could not wait for grandchildren and great-grandchildren to visit, so she could spoil them before they went home.

Martha Ann is survived by her loving husband, Ervin, of the home; one daughter and son in-law, June and Bob Allard of Bolivar; one son and daughter in-law, Jimmy and Myra Rader of MO; four grandchildren: Brandi (Bryant) Payne of Halfway, MO, Amber (Alex) Quigley of Hiram, Georgia, Jessica Barbee of Willard, MO, and Keith Rader of Waynesville, MO; six great-grandchildren: Lorelei Quigley, Harper Quigley, Olivia Quigley, Jayden King, Dominic King, and Audianna King; one sister Mary Lou Robertson; sister in-laws: Dixie Barber, Marilyn Barber, and Cindy Barber; as well as many nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, and friends.

Martha Ann was preceded in death by her parents; four siblings, who died in infancy; brothers: Forrest, Benny, David, and Richard Barber; brother and sister in-laws: Elgan and Geraldine Rader, Ester and Nadine Roberts, Arnold and Corene Jones, Wanda Rader, Tom Robertson, and Betty Barber.

Martha Ann will be greatly missed.

Visitation will be held from 10:00 to 11:00 am Monday, February 5, 2024, at Pitts Chapel.  Funeral services begin at 11:00 am in the funeral home, with Bro.’s Dan Breshears and Case Jones officiating.  Burial will follow at Mt. View Cemetery Polk, MO.  Online condolences may be made at: www.greenlawnfuneralhome.com.  Arrangements have been entrusted to Pitts Chapel Bolivar, MO.

The family would like to thank the staff at Parkview Healthcare Facility, and Kristen, her hospice nurse and all the hospice nurses, for all the comfort and care given to Martha Ann.

Thank you everyone for all the phone calls, text messages, prayers, visits, and food.  The family appreciates everything.