Jessie Kathryn Martin

She was born near El Dorado Springs, MO, on June 30, 1920. She lived there for most of her formative years. In the early 1920’s, her grandparents, Joseph and Lizzie Chambers, moved to the new southwest to the town of Forrest, NM. In 1924, Jessie, her parents, John and Beulah (Hainline) Chambers, and her older sister and brother, Johnnie June and Jimmie, also moved to New Mexico. Her mother taught in a one-room school house there. Although Jessie was only four years old, she really wanted to go to school with her siblings and began first grade at age four. When she, her parents and siblings returned to El Dorado Springs in 1926, she entered third grade at age six. She met Jack Martin, who became her high school sweetheart when he moved from Tulsa to Missouri with his grandparents. She graduated from El Dorado Springs High School as salutatorian at age 15.

After high school, Jessie attended business school in Springfield, MO. Upon graduation, she worked in the credit department at Montgomery Ward and rose to the position of Credit Manager by age 19. In 1939, she and Jack married. After WWII, they spent most of their married life in the Kansas City area. Jack and Jessie raised four children and were active members of Countryside Christian Church. She and Jack enjoyed an active social life with a great number of friends and neighbors, including a shared love of card games and baseball. They remained happily married until Jack’s death in 2002. As a widow, Jessie continued her love of learning and her active social life, especially joining friends for lunch and playing bridge, and she continued to root for the Kansas City Royals in good times and lean. Jessie lived in a condo for several years before moving to independent living at Silvercrest at Deer Creek Senior Living. She enjoyed excellent health and independence for most of her long life.

She was preceded in death by her parents, siblings, in-laws, and husband as well as grandson Scott Andrews. She is survived by her children, Ann Martin McLaughlin and husband Gerry, Robert (Bob) Mills Martin and wife Susie Hooke, John Richard Martin and wife Kara, and James (Jim) Michael Martin and wife Joelle; ten grandchildren, fifteen great-grandchildren, and two great great grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to JDRF.org or to Countryside Christian Church, 6101 Nall Ave., Mission, KS, 66202.

Following a private burial on December 1, 2021, a service celebrating Jessie’s life will be held at Silvercrest at Deer Creek Senior Living, 13060 Metcalf Ave, Overland Park, KS, at 2:30 pm in the Marvin Room (masks required).

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