Martha Rae (Dick) Duffer

Martha Rae (Dick) Duffer, 97, of Odessa, Missouri passed away on Thursday, July 28, 2022, at her home surrounded by family.

A visitation will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Monday, August 1, 2022, at First Baptist Church of Odessa, 100 State Hwy OO, Odessa, Missouri, 64076.  A funeral service will begin at 1:00 p.m. at the church.  Interment will follow at Ridge Park Cemetery in Marshall, Missouri.  Memorials are suggested to First Baptist Church of Odessa Building Fund or Crossroads Hospice and may be left in care of Ralph O. Jones Funeral Home, 306 S. 2^nd Street, Odessa, MO, 64076, 816-633-5524.  Memories of Martha and condolences for her family may be left at www.LedfordFamilyFH.com or on our Facebook Page.

Martha was born on March 23, 1925, to Ray Allen and Minnie Pearl (Liggett) Dick in Smithville, MO.  After graduating from Marshall High School and Missouri Valley College in Marshall, MO she later received her master’s degree from Central Missouri State University in Warrensburg, MO.  On March 15, 1946, Martha was united in marriage to Harold Thomas Duffer in Jefferson City, MO.  He preceded her in death on January 29, 1977.

She taught in the Raytown School District for 30 years before retiring. Her memberships include the Missouri Retired Teachers Association and Missouri State Teachers Association. First Baptist Church of Odessa was her church home where she taught Sunday School through the years, a demonstration of her lifelong love of teaching and her faith. Martha’s joy over the years was in sharing her homemade strawberry preserves and the abundance from her garden. Her generous heart was also displayed through her beautiful quilts given to her family and friends. Moreover, this connected her with the quilting ladies at Calvary Baptist Church of Odessa. These are just a few examples of her determined spirit which kept her active and productive throughout her 97 years.

Survivors include two daughters, Nancy Jacoby and Trish Hubbard (Gene) both of Odessa, MO; seven grandchildren, Gail Ellis, Melissa Kreisel, Chris Jacoby, David Jacoby, Chad Hubbard, Justin Hubbard, and Amanda Duffer; 12 great grandchildren; one great great grandchild; and many nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.

In addition to her husband, Martha was preceded in death by her parents; two sons, Allen and Keith Duffer; a sister, Freta Nickel; and a brother-in-law, Walt Nickel.