MARTHA LOUISE (BUTLER) LEE

Martha Lee, 85, of Peculiar, MO, passed peacefully into glory on July 17, 2014. Martha was born on Dec. 26, 1928 in Ft. Worth, TX, the first daughter of Robert and Edna (Johns) Butler. She was preceded in death by her parents and her older brother, Robert Butler of Westport, Mass. Martha is survived by her only sister, Edna Mae Binford (Jack) of Winston-Salem, NC; daughter, Betty Lee Welch (Michael), of Peculiar, MO; son, John Alan Lee (Julia), of Cary, NC; grandchildren, Michael Welch, Tessa Lee and Colin Lee, nieces Linda and Jo Ellen, nephews Bob, Daniel and Timothy, her 'adopted-by-love' daughter, Charlotte Suniega, and close friends.

During World War II, Martha's family moved to Alexandria, VA, where she was an Honor Graduate of George Washington High School in January, 1946. She soon married a young Christian soldier and began her new life as a dedicated, loving wife and, within a few years, proud mother.

Professionally, Martha was a highly respected, hardworking, dedicated legal secretary. She was co-founder of, and served in numerous official positions in, the Alexandria City Legal Secretaries Association. She worked many years for several law firms in both Alexandria, VA and Washington, DC, before relocating to Houston, TX, where she continued working until taking late retirement. Throughout her career, she felt privileged to act as a mentor to many young secretaries as they struggled with their careers or made important career decisions. She considered some as extended family members, and we know her passing leaves behind a void in their lives as well. She was proud to have had each of her associates and employers teaching and helping her along her journey, and appreciated the lessons and experiences uniquely offered by each of them.

Martha's hobbies were varied, including, from a very young age, tap dance, once having the honor to perform a solo dance at the TX State Fair. She moved from tap to enjoying all forms of music and dance, and at home you could often find her, radio cranking out the latest pop music, happily dancing while cleaning her home! She read a wide variety of books, created beautiful works of crochet, embroidery and needlepoint, enjoyed singing and was a passionate seamstress. She took great pride in sewing all of her own and her young children's clothing, which served her well as she not only clothed her family with her beautiful creations, but contributed income by doing alterations or sewing for others. She always gave her best, and her talents were to be envied.

Martha chose cremation for her physical remains, as she was certain, without doubt, that her soul and spirit continue in life forever with her Savior. Her remains will be buried in a ceremony at sea (www.EternalReefs.com), becoming a permanent part of a man-made living reef in the coastal waters of her beloved Texas, allowing her to continue contributing in death, as in life, to the enhancement and preservation of life.

Martha spent her entire life in love with her Savior, Jesus Christ. She strove to raise her children, and make her family, an exemplification of her faith. She sang in the church choirs, served on committees, taught Sunday school and in general lived a good Christian life. Throughout her life, especially in the hard times, she always turned to God for her strength, for guidance and understanding. During the final years of her life, her prayer was to be relieved of the burdens of the natural world and her physical body, and be allowed to rest in God's loving arms. He granted her heart's desire, as she peacefully passed to Him, surrounded by many who loved her.

The family requests memorials to be made to medical research into diseases of the elderly, particularly including Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus and Oxygen Deprived Dementia, from which she ultimately passed. These diseases, for which screening is uncommon and often overlooked, leave the patient under the general diagnosis of "Alzheimer's". Left untreated, these diseases unnecessarily result in, much earlier than necessary, loss of vital skills and body functions. Martha would appreciate knowing that her death brought about change in the care and treatment of these diseases, so that others may have a better possibility of a vital, full and self-sufficient life.

Services for Martha will be in accordance with Eternal Reef's process of creating the memorial reef, which will contain her remains, dedicating the reef, and the full ceremony of placing her memorial reef in its location in the Gulf. You are welcome to participate in any or all of this process, and it is fully outlined in the Eternal Reefs brochure and information on their website (EternalReefs.com).

Any letters of memories you have of Martha or time you shared with her (a meaningful memory you have, vacations, pictures, something particular she may have done for or with you, or just a note that she will be missed by you) would be greatly appreciated by the family, and may be addressed to her daughter, Betty Welch, in care of Cullen Funeral Home, 612 West Foxwood Drive, Raymore, MO 64083.