Martha was born February 17, 1945 in Maryville, Missouri to George and Frona (Dorman) Gilbert. Martha loved to fish, thrift shopping, slot machines, and her family; especially her grandbabies. She fought a long battle and was under hospice care for a year and a half when they gave her 3 months to live.
Martha was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Chester Lee Gilbert; and ex-husband, Robert VanVelsan.
Survivors include her husband of 44 years, Richard Franklin; children: Terry L. Kincaid, Garry Dale VanVelsan, Richard and Janie Cash and Dana Cruz; 7 grandchildren: Jamie, Buddy Lee, Destiny Dawn, Clint Robert and Sam, Jessica, Ashley and Cheyenne; 18 great grandchildren: Chance, Cole, Corbin, Gaberial, Greyson, Savannah, J.R., Julian, Jaxson, Gavin, Jaden, Mackenzie, Kolin, Ryan, Grace, Ava, Evelyn, Effie; and 2 great-great grandchildren: Ryder and Kayanna.
A graveside service for Martha will be held on Wednesday, August 7, 2024 at 1:00 PM at Mt. Washington Cemetery, 614 S. Brookside Ave., Independence, Missouri 64053. Please enter on the 24 Hwy main gate.
