Martha Elizabeth Bowman Teaster

Friday, September 4, 2020

Martha Elizabeth Bowman Teaster, 82, of Jonesboro, died peacefully at her home, Sept. 3, lovingly surrounded by her family. 

Martha was born March 10, 1938 to Acy and Irene (Snead) Bowman in Malden, Mo. She was joined in marriage to Dr. Leonard L. Teaster Jr. on Dec. 3, 1956. Martha was a very athletic and talented. She excelled at basketball and baseball. She threw the ball with so much heat that she played on the boys baseball team. She also played the saxophone, was a majorette and a great dancer with a beautiful alto voice. Martha was a woman of God, volunteering in many church and civic organizations, not seeking accolades, only wanting to serve others. Luke 10:38-40 mirrors the life of Martha Teaster. With all that said, her greatest talent was being a faithful wife, loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend. Everyone that knew her understood that, and also knew what a blessing it was just to know her. 

Martha is preceded in death by her parents; four brothers, Benton, Calvin, Eddie, and Amos Bowman; and two sons, Leonard (Lenny) L. Teaster III and Kenny Joe Teaster.

She is survived by her husband, Dr. Leonard (Len) Teaster of Jonesboro; two sisters, Nadine Trauber and Betty Jo Green; two children, Cindi Madison of Brookland and Trason (Tra) Teaster of Jonesboro; three grandchildren, Stephen Southard and his wife Dr. Heather of Jonesboro, Jonathan Madison of Brookland, Torin Teaster and his wife Camryn of Charleston, S.C., and two great-grandchildren, Brandon and Blakely Southard of Jonesboro. 

Funeral services will be at the John W. German Funeral Home in Hayti, Mo., Saturday, Sept. 5, with visitation starting at 1 p.m. and memorial at 2 p.m. Graveside service at Woodlawn Cemetery will follow.