Martha was born in Centerville, Iowa on 4-4-1933 to Letha Winans Patterson and Alvin Printy. She was later adopted by C. L. “Pat” Patterson. Her siblings were Pat Williams, deceased, Shirley Lundegreen, Eva Barker, deceased, Frances Christopher, Janet Kennedy, Josephine Sathe, Rosalee Priest, Annetta Baugh and Wanita Zika.
Martha arrived in Amarillo on her 14th birthday. On the day of her arrival, there was a terrific electrical storm with hail turning to sleet, then ice and snow. She stayed anyway. She found that most of her life mirrored this event.
She married A. J. “Jim” Minor, deceased. Their children are Max Minor, Stacy Ferrell, and Michael Minor. Her second husband was Kenneth C. Sherrill, deceased. Together they shared one daughter, Kaylynn Sherrill and raised together Jim Sherrill, Rebecca Sherrill and Ray Sherrill.
The last love of her life was Thomas B. Breidegan, deceased, of Tucumcari, NM, and he was certainly worth the wait, all refined gold, silver and precious stones.
Martha had 12 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren whom she loved greatly. She loved being surrounded by them at family events. Her goal in life was to love others and her fervent belief was the only advice worth taking is to know Jesus Christ.