Martha Ann Turner

Martha Ann (Gobbel) Turner was born in Odessa, Texas on December 17, 1931, to Clarence and Lois (Shropshire) Gobbel. Her father was a young minister for the Church of Christ and, as a result, Martha's family moved and lived in many towns throughout west Texas and eastern New Mexico. It was the height of the Great Depression and times were hard for the Gobbel family.

Martha Ann attended numerous grade schools throughout Texas and New Mexico, with the family moving to Tempe, Arizona in 1942 when she was 11 years old. She met her future husband, James Turner, in 1945 at her sister Glendell's wedding, where Martha played the violin for the ceremony.

She graduated from high school in Santa Barbara, California in 1949, and married James in Chandler on June 23rd of that year. Her father, Clarence, officiated at the ceremony. Both Martha and James were active in the Chandler Church of Christ throughout their married life, and were instrumental in the growth and service of the congregation.

Martha worked at the Valley National Bank from 1959 to 1975. She was most proud of being a homemaker and mother to her three children, Karen, John and David. She and James loved traveling and made several trips to the national parks, as well as countless driving trips to Texas to see family. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were her absolute joy.

She was a skilled seamstress and enjoyed needlework, gardening, and had a lifelong love of music. Her home always reflected her love of interior decorating, which revolved around her family. Her love of God and Christian faith inspired everything she did in life. Martha's thoughtfulness and caring, along with her infectious laugh, will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved her.

Martha Ann is survived by her daughter, Karen Springer, of Corpus Christi, Texas; sons John (Wanda) Turner of Tempe, Arizona and David (Patty) Turner of Chandler, Arizona, eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister Glendell Williams, of Prescott, Arizona, and numerous nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents, Clarence and Lois; husband, James; brother, James Gobbel; and her sister, Margie Sweat.

A Visitation will be held Thursday, March 6, from 5:00 to 8:00 pm at Resthaven Park Mortuary. Funeral services will be held Friday, March 7, at 10:00 am at Resthaven Park Mortuary & Cemetery, 4310 East Southern Avenue, Phoenix, Arizona. Arrangements entrusted to Resthaven Park Mortuary & Cemetery, Phoenix, Arizona.