Martha Virginia Jones-Gilmore

Mrs. Martha Virginia Jones-Gilmore, 80, was born Jan. 6, 1932, in Monette, to Isaac and Zola Jones. She entered the gates of Heaven Saturday, June 30, 2012.

Martha was a strong woman who weathered storms that would shatter most, and she always wanted the best for everyone. She was very generous and would sacrifice to help those she truly loved and cared about. She had a great work ethic and stuck with a job until it was accomplished, sometimes until thorough exhaustion. She had a sharp business and politically astute mind. She always had an answer and opinion regarding any question she might be asked. She had thick auburn hair and piercing brown eyes with a beauty that was simply natural.

She moved to Michigan City, Ind., on her own at the age of 19 to find work. She enjoyed spending time at Carlson's Skating Rink and became friends with a couple who introduced her to Richard Gilmore. Richard and Martha were married in 1955. They opened two root beer stands in Blytheville and Gosnell. They had a booming business, and in 1962 were asked by one of their carhops if they wanted to adopt her baby. Martha and Richard adopted Mary Elizabeth Gilmore-Jeffries, who lives in Fort Wayne, Ind., with her husband, Don.

Martha is also survived by three grandchildren, Shawn McQuade (29), Adrian "A.K." Lepper (23), and Dominique "Neka" Jeffries (13). She loved her grandchildren beyond measure and prayed for them daily.

She was preceded in death by 12 brothers and sisters and is survived by two sisters, Dorothy Hipp and Katherine Graue. Martha was also preceded in death by her beloved husband of 39 years.

Martha and Richard moved to Michigan City in 1970 where they helped with their dear friends' Carlson's Root Beer Stand. Eventually, Richard became a probation officer and Martha became a clerk in the child support division in the Michigan City Court House.

Martha asked to be cremated and have her ashes spread in Arkansas and Michigan City, as her heart was torn between both places.