Martha "Sally" Jane Markham

Martha "Sally" Jane Ward Markham died July 26th, 2024 at 91 years old. Her family fondly remembers her as “Grandma Great.” She was a "southern gal" born and raised in Warrior, Alabama near Birmingham. She was the third of four children born October 5,1932 to Gladys Stewart Ward and Buck Ellard Ward. Martha grew up in humble circumstances with a spirit of “waste not, want not” that never left her. At the young age of 15 she left home and moved to Arizona where she lived on her own. She supported herself by working at Upton's Soda Shop and living in a small room above the shop in Globe, AZ. While working at Upton’s, she met, fell in love, and eventually married the love of her life, F. Dale Markham. 

She became a convert to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and remained a faithful and devoted member for the rest of her life. Martha and Dale married on October 9, 1953 in the Mesa, AZ Temple. Their early married life was full of challenges, but it was always met with enthusiasm and a "can-do spirit." They moved around early on to places such as Phoenix, Yuma, AZ and Madera, CA, before settling down in Tempe, AZ. Martha and Dale had seven children. Additionally, they had Indian Placement children and numerous foreign exchange students. Martha was devoted to her large family. 

Martha enjoyed serving in her church as a den mother, camp leader, and Relief Society President. Her greatest calling was as a mother and wife. She was a wonderful support to her husband who served in the church for many years as the stake president of the Tempe South Stake and as a president of Western American Mortgage company. Needless to say, she was left to “Hold down for Fort” and attempt to round up her “wild ones” while Dale was gone. 

She was always cooking, canning, sewing, quilting, and gardening. Her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren would often call in their dinner requests before driving to the mountains to visit Papa and Grandma Great at their cabin. Martha was happy when she was working and serving others. It was very common for family members of all generations to drop off sacks of mending which Martha would happily and expertly complete in no time at all. She was an avid camper, backpacker, fisherman, hiker and card player! All of her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren cherish the beautiful quilts that were made by Martha. She made hundreds of quilts. They were “hot” items in the raffle at family reunions.

After retirement, Martha and Dale moved to Show Low, AZ. They both called their cabin in the mountains their “Happy Place!” Martha became an “expert / addict” at garage sales. She and Dale served two church missions to Martin's Cove, Wyoming. 

Martha had a twinkle in her eye, a contagious laugh, a great sense of humor, and every now and then…a southern twang in her speech and quirky sayings – such as (holding her hip)...”I got a catch in my get-a-long.” She was proud of her Cherokee Indian heritage and her very own large tribe of wild Indians. She truly had a Warrior Spirit from Warrior, Alabama. 

Martha is survived by her seven children: Michelle "Mikki" and Tom Lantz, Cynthia and Kevin Kellis, Nanette and Scott Hollingsworth, Kelly Markham Solomon, Michael and Michele (Scow) Markham, Darla and Kevin Kortsen and Marla and Duke Mataele. Grandchildren: 28. Great Grandchildren: 49. Great Great Grandchildren: 1 so far! She is also survived by her Sister Louise (Susie) Czarnick and her brother David Ward. 

A memorial gathering will be held in her honor for Family and Friends at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Building at 920 S Lindsay Rd Mesa, AZ 85204 Friday, August 23rd 5:00-6:30 pm. 

A Special Family Service will begin that same evening at 7:00. 

The Graveside Service and final resting place will be in Show Low, AZ Saturday, August 24th at 2:00 pm at the Show Low Cemetery, 300 E Adams.

 Martha's children are especially grateful for all of the prayers and expressions of love and sympathy they have received. They are also truly grateful for the loving and amazing caregivers who watched over Martha during her last months in hospice care! They find comfort and peace in knowing that through Christ "Families are Forever.”