Martha Joyce Edwards

Martha Joyce (Redfearn) Edwards was born in Dallas, Texas on September 20, 1933, to parents Ellis Gordon Redfearn and Tinnie Louise (Hickey) Redfearn. She passed away in Houston, Texas and went to her Heavenly home on Thursday, December 31, 2025, at the age of 92.

Martha graduated N. R. Crozier Technical High School and began working. Prior to, and during college, she worked at First National Bank of Dallas as a machine bookkeeper, Fox Film in Dallas, and then she worked at a movie theater in Brownwood. She attended Howard Payne University where she earned her degree and met her husband. She continued to support Howard Payne and was active in the Alumni Association.

Following graduation from HPU, Martha married and became a housewife. The couple eventually settled in Houston, where Martha began her short career in Education with Texas Public Schools in the Houston area. She left that career behind to start a family. She cared for her family until both children were through elementary school. She then began to work as a secretary, first part time, and then transitioning to full time in 1990 with ExxonMobil Chemical. She retired from the company in 2007, at the age of 74.

While living in the Houston area Martha became an active member in Long Point Baptist. She then became a charter member of Spring Woods Baptist Church, serving as the first church secretary and teaching several classes. Finally, she was a faithful member of Houston’s First Baptist Church.

Martha was a loving wife, a devoted mother and grandmother.

She is survived by her son, Robin Edwards and his wife Ida; daughter, Krissa Edwards; grandchildren, Grayson, Hannah, Samuel, Daniel; siblings, Hal and Sandra, other loving family members and many dear friends.

Family and friends will gather and share memories during a visitation from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 13th at Waltrip Funeral Directors, 1415 Campbell Road in Houston. There will be a celebration of Martha’s life during that time with Pastor Jeff Calhoun presiding. Interment will follow at Memorial Oaks Cemetery, also in Houston.