Martha Rose Stockton of Ponca City, Oklahoma, died early Monday morning, January 4, 2010, in the Westminster Village in Ponca City at the age of 98 years.

Martha Rose Stockton was born on April 9, 1911, in Syracuse, Kansas, to Cornelius and Anna (Reimer) Janzen. While a toddler she moved with her family to a cattle ranch in Medford, Oklahoma. The oldest of seven children, she was expected to help with raising her brothers and sisters. This gave her the desire to become a teacher. She attended school in Medford, Eagle Grove, Northwestern College in Alva, Oklahoma, and received her bachelors degree from Southwestern University in Winfield, Kansas. While teaching in Peckham School she met and married James T. Stockton on August 18, 1936, in Newkirk, Oklahoma. She later began teaching in the Blackwell Public Schools and taught for thirty-two years before retiring. Her husband preceded her in death on February 6, 1981. Following her retirement she moved to Westminster Village in Ponca City where she served as president of the Villagers for the first two years. She also worked as a Villager Volunteer and the Retired Senior Volunteer Program with the United Way. She was a member of the St. Paul's Methodist Church in Ponca City. She enjoyed needlepoint, knitting, crocheting and other various crafts.

She is survived by her daughter, Judy Jones and husband J. C. of Ponca City, Oklahoma; two sisters, Wilma Eddings and husband Arnold of Normal, Illinois, and Anna Pjesky of Goltry, Oklahoma; a grandson, Robert W. Seney Jr. and wife Crystal of Lewisville, Texas; and three great grandchildren, Jacqueline Seney of Ponca City, Oklahoma, Pacen Seney of Ponca City, Oklahoma, and Daeton Seney of Lewisville, Texas.

She was also preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Bertha Orton; and four brothers, Rueben, Jakie and Paul Janzen and an infant brother at birth.

Graveside services are scheduled for 1:00 p.m., Friday, January 8th in the Resthaven Cemetery in Ponca City with the Rev. Lisa Sheldon and Rev. Robert Montgomery of St. Paul's Methodist Church officiating. Burial will follow in the Resthaven Cemetery.

Honorary casketbearers will be Fred Williamson, Bruce Dale, Kirk Boersma, Vernor Courtney and Jim Rodgers.

A memorial has been established with the Blackwell Public School Foundation in c/o Roberts and Son Funeral Home, 120 W. Padon, Blackwell, Oklahoma 74631.