On January 19, 2024, Martha Anne Hines Templeton, age 90, of Springfield, Missouri, passed peacefully from this world into the eternal arms of her Lord and Savior. Martha was a devout Christian lady who dedicated her life to God, her loving husband of 72 years and their five children. In the words of her husband, Gene, “she was a perfect wife.”

Martha was born to Millard and Nellie (Wagner) Hines on September 23, 1933, in Kansas City, Missouri. When Martha was in elementary school, her family moved to the Birch Tree, Missouri area. Martha graduated from Birch Tree High School in 1951 as Valedictorian. She accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior in her early teens and was baptized in 1947 at the Mennonite Church in Birch Tree. On July 27, 1951, Martha was united in marriage to her high school sweetheart, Gene Templeton.  The couple was blessed with five loving children: Carl, Julie, Linda, David, and William.

Gene and Martha resided in the Birch Tree area until they moved to Springfield in 1957.  In the early 1960’s Martha entered the workforce, ending her career at KYTV as Head of Accounting Department after twenty plus years.  Gene and Martha started two businesses: Riksha Chinese Restaurant, which they later sold, and Progressive Business Systems, from which they both retired.  Martha later worked at Missouri State University as an Administrative Assistant in the Department of Mathematics. Martha remained on staff at Missouri State University for 14 years until her retirement in June, 2022.

Martha wrote and published a children’s book entitled, Twice a Hero, an historical fiction about life in Shannon County, set in the late 1800s. She also authored several short stories that were published in the 2000s and co-authored a book with her brother, William (Bill) Hines. Martha was a long-time member of the church choir, enjoyed gardening, floral arranging, cake decorating, and travel. They especially loved the Rocky Mountains. Their final trip was an Alaskan cruise taken last June.

Martha Anne Hines Templeton was preceded in death by her parents, Millard and Nellie Hines; and her sister, Mary Ropiequet. She is survived by her husband, Gene Templeton; son, Carl Templeton and his wife, Kathy; daughter, Julie Abney and her husband, Elvin; daughter, Linda Bambery; son, David Templeton and his wife, Angie; son, William Templeton and his wife, Deidre; brothers: William Hines, John Hines, and Edward Hines; sisters, Natalie Webber and Becky Boykin; grandchildren: Jared Templeton, Sean Templeton, Cynthia Cabrera, Shannon Bambery, Lacey Pritchett, Lindsey Sade, Jennifer Templeton, Mandy Cengiz, Jennifer King, Shawn Folsom, and Caleb Templeton; great-grandchildren: Abby, Becca, Sawyer, Kym, Jordynne, Christian, Makenzie, Skyler, Brooklynn, Eli, Haley, Layna, Finnley, Rochelle, Kasey, and Deborah Rose. Martha is also survived by a host nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends.

 A visitation for Martha will be hosted by her family on Thursday, January 25, 2024, from 6:00-8:00 pm, at Greenlawn Funeral Home North in Springfield. A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Friday, January 26, 2024, 11:00 am, at Hamlin Baptist Church in Springfield. Following the celebration of Martha’s life, she will be laid to rest in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Martha’s memory to the Hamlin Baptist Church Building Fund.

The Templeton family extends its heartfelt gratitude to Seasons Hospice for the compassionate care and support given to Martha and her family.