Martha Ellen House

Martha Ellen (Evers) House was welcomed to Heaven on Friday, March 13, 2026. Her loving husband, Kenneth House, was at her side in their home to say goodbye. Martha Ellen was born on August 20, 1942, to Harry Owen and Ruth Evelyn (David) in Mound City, Illinois. Her earthly life was filled with faithfully using her spiritual gifts for teaching, encouraging and service. After graduating high school from Mound City, she completed her Bachelors at Southern Illinois University Carbondale and a Masters at Southeast Missouri State University, both in Elementary Education. She began teaching in the Meridian Community School District 101 in 1964 and retired from there in 1994. She was a longtime member at Shiloh Baptist Church in Villa Ridge, Illinois, in early adulthood and in 1999 joined Lynwood Baptist Church in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. Her dedication to the Church meant she served faithfully in many different roles. Martha Ellen married Kenneth House on December 26, 1981. She became a Mom and MaMa to his four children, their spouses and the grandchildren and great grandchildren who came along over time. She gave them all the love she had to give, which was an extraordinary blessing. Their home was always a welcoming place to family, with numerous family gatherings held there over the years. Martha Ellen was a tremendous friend to so many! She encouraged them with cards, notes, phone calls and visits throughout her life. She was preceded in death by her parents, her father and mother-in-law, John Benjamin and Ruby Cassandra (Culbertson) House, her brothers Harry Owen Jr., Charles David and George Edward "Bo" Evers, her brother-in-law LeeVan Robertson, her sister-in-law Faye Evers, her son Gregory Neal House, her son-in-law Kurt Hougland, her grandson Phillip Okoro and nephew Daniel Evers. Surviving family members include her husband Ken House, sisters-in-law Betty Jo Evers and Mary Nell Robertson, daughters Sheri House (Scott Hines) and Donna Jo "DJ" (Jim) Spantgos, and son David House. Grandchildren Nick (Amie), Derrick (Paige), Lexi (Danny), CJ (Katie), Kristi, Jackie, Lindsey (Nathan), Landon (Rachel), Ashlee (Tyler), Ashley and Haylee (Trent). Great grandchildren Harmony, Drayke, Myla Jo, Kolton, Bradlee, Brayden, Lucan, Hayden, Lena Ruth, Symphony, Bryce, Lainey and Quinn. Cousin Kathy. Nieces and nephews Lynette, Keith, Scott, Kelly, Kim, Harry Owen, David, Jeremy and Nikki. Visitation will be held from Noon-2 p.m., on Saturday, March 21, at Lynwood Baptist Church in Cape Girardeau. Funeral services follow immediately at 2 p.m. at the Church with the Rev. Mark Anderson officiating. Entombment will be at Cape County Memorial Park Mausoleum in Cape Girardeau. Online condolences may be made at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com Ford and Sons Funeral Home - Mt. Auburn is in charge of arrangements. Memorials may be made to any of the following at Martha Ellen's request. Missouri Huntington's Disease Society of America 983 Morgan Street Jackson, MO 63755 Include In Memory of Martha Ellen in memo line, if donating via check. Online at hdsa.org/thwsoutheastmo and click on Friends and Family of Kurt Hougland to make a donation. All donations made to the team this year will be in memory of Martha Ellen. All donations will be credited, as memorials to Martha Ellen, to this years Huntington's Disease Walk for Hope this April in Jackson. Martha Ellen generously supported this Walk, since its 2022 beginning, as her daughter's (Sheri) then husband, Kurt, battled this rare disease. It took his life in 2023. American Cancer Society-St. Louis PO Box 28566 St. Louis, MO 63146 Include In Memory of Martha Ellen in memo line, if donating via check. Online at www.cancer.org. Choose donate button and there is a place to dedicate your gift. Cancer claimed Martha Ellen's life, as well as disrupted her life several years ago. Her father died due to cancer, a brother in law and a son. She supported the House Family team in the American Cancer Society's Relay For Life events for more than a decade. Lynwood Christian Academy 2935 Lynwood Hills Dr. Cape Girardeau, MO 63701 Include In Memory of Martha Ellen in memo line, if donating via check. Online at www.lynwood.academy Choose the three lines at top right and then donate option at bottom of the pop up screen. Choose General Fund. At checkout, a note may be added that gift is in memory of Martha Ellen House. As a former school teacher, Martha Ellen was, from the start, in support of Lynwood Baptist Church's decision to include the Academy as one of its important community offerings St. Jude Children's Research Hospital 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105 Include In Memory of Martha Ellen in memo line, if donating via check. Online at www.stjude.org. Choose donate now. At first screen, check the box that says dedicate your gift in honor or memory which will allow notation regarding this is a Martha Ellen House memorial.

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Martha Ellen House

August 20, 1942 - March 13, 2026