of Benton, AR
May 2, 1926 - January 9, 2013
Martha Elizabeth Nowlin Statler, age 86, went to be with the Lord Wednesday, January 9, 2013. She was born in Rolla, Arkansas on May 2, 1926 to the late Bill and Martha Elliott Nowlin. She was a member of First Missionary Baptist Church of Traskwood and loved reading, teaching, and traveling.
Martha started her love of teaching in 1943 at the age of seventeen where she taught first and second graders at Glen Rose Elementary School. She completed her teaching degree in 1962, which she obtained at Henderson State University in Arkadelphia.
In 1946 she began teaching at Harmony Grove Elementary School until becoming the librarian. During her time in both the classrooms and the school library, Martha passed on her love of reading and showed how books could enrich the lives and minds of the children she taught. She retired in 1992 after thirty-six years in the education field. After retirement, she traveled and volunteered for many years at Saline Memorial Hospital.
In addition to being a mother, wife, Christian woman, teacher, and librarian, she also was a licensed realtor in Oklahoma and Arkansas, working at Phillips Real Estate, Inc.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband whom she married in 1946, E.C. Statler; three grandchildren, Stacie Statler Coddington, Wesley Gene Thweatt, and Jodi Carter; her brother and sister-in-law, George Nowlin and wife Mary, and her sister Arline Nowlin Dempsey.
She is survived by her three daughters, Carolyn Carter and husband David, Marilyn Thweatt and husband Tal, and Nancy Hampel and husband Mike all of Benton; five grandchildren, Glen Carter, Aaron Kelley, Jennifer Carter and husband Curtis, Matt Hampel, and Lindsey Parker and husband Chad; ten great-grandchildren, Jordin, Alli, and Emily Carter, Megan, Taylor, and Kindsey Kelley, Abigail, Elizabeth, and Jonathan Carter, and Cade Parker; one great-grandson, Kason Sumler; numerous other relatives, and many friends.
Funeral services will be 2:00 P.M. Saturday, January 12, 2013 at Roller-Ballard Funeral Home in Benton (501-315-4047) with Dr. Robbie Horne officiating. Interment will follow at Mt. Harmony Cemetery in Haskell.
Visitation will be from 6:00 8:00 P.M. Friday, January 11, 2013 at the funeral home.
Memorials may be made to Arkansas Hospice, 14 Parkston Circle, North Little Rock, AR 72116.
The family wishes to express their heartfelt gratitude to Becky, Deanna, Amber, and the entire staff at Arkansas Hospice for the love and care shown to Mrs. Statler during her time spent under hospice care and to the staff at Ridgewood Nursing and Rehabilitation for the past three years.
Nancy and Family, I am so sorry to hear of the loss of Mrs. Statler. She was truly one of my favorite teachers in high school. One of the many things that I remember about her is she was very big on getting her sudents to vote. So one day she asked who in our class was 18 yrs. old. She then took those few across the street to register to vote. We didn't have a choice in the matter. That is how passioniate she was about her students. I will never forget that. R.I.P. Mrs Statler
Nancy and all the family we are so sorry for your loss.
Mrs. Statler was a wonderful soul and a great teacher.
It doesn't seem like it now but time does heal all wounds. Soon the wonderful memories of your mom will replace the sorrow and grief.
You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Benny Thomason,
Benjamin "Doc" Thomason, Donna Thomason,
Everett Thomason,
Linda Thomason-Browning and the rest of the Thomason family.
i WAS HEART BROKE OVER THIS NEWS. TRULY MY FAVORITE TEACHER , WHOM I'LL NEVER FORGET. ONE VERY SPECIAL TEACHER THAT HELP THROUGH MY SENIOR YEAR OF SCHOOL,AS OUR CHERRLEADING COACH AND YOU ALWAYS SHOWED COMPASSION.
Carolyn: We were so sorry to learn of your mom's death. Randle lost his mom on Christmas Day so we know this pain. Know that you and David and your family are in our hearts.
I was truly sorry to hear of the passing of Mrs. Statler. She was a dear sweet lady and I have many fond memories of her. My thoughts and prayers are with you all as you go through this difficult time.
Marilyn, so sorry to her about the loss of your mother. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
I am so so sorry you are all in my prayers..
We are all blessed with knowing Mrs. Statler. She will always be at the top of my list of most respected teachers. I benefitted from her insights & wisdom, even after she had retired from Harmony Grove, as she made a point to keep in touch. She will, I'm sure, be at the top of the class with the angels in heaven as those of us who knew her on earth, know she was one of God's earthly models. My prayers with all the family.
I took care of mrs Martha at foxridge and again at ridge wood she had a hymn that hung on her wall and when I would sing it to her she would perk up and sing with me. She always had a beautiful smile . She reminded me of my own mother. So sorry for your loss.
What a beautiful picture of such a sweet lady. Thoughts and prayers to the family!
So sorry about Martha. She was one of the greatest teachers I ever had. Prayers with you all.