Martha Anne (Fancher) Ellard

Martha Anne Ellard, 82, of Poplar Bluff died Saturday, Sept. 17, 2011 at Cedargate Care Center in Poplar Bluff.

Mrs. Ellard was born March 28, 1929 in Holcomb, Miss., and was a graduate of Coffeeville High School Class of 1946 in Coffeeville, Miss. She received her Bachelors Degree in Home Economics Education from the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, Miss., Masters of Science in Home Economics from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, Ark., and was a graduate from the Army Language School in Monterey, Calif. specializing in Spanish. Mrs. Ellard was a homemaker and teacher. She traveled throughout Europe with her military husband while they were stationed in Germany. The army sent them to the Panama Canal Zone for a time. Mrs. Ellard also visited all 50 U.S. states, all Canadian territories, and other foreign countries. Moving to Poplar Bluff in 1984 when her husband became assistant administrator at John J. Pershing VA Medical Center, she enjoyed spending time with her family, church work, teaching, cooking, sewing, crocheting and knitting. Mrs. Ellard was a member of First Baptist Church.

On July 8, 1951, she married Charles Aven Ellard in Coffeeville, Miss. They celebrated their 60 wedding anniversary this year. He survives.

Other survivors include two daughters, Martha Charlene Dougherty and husband Terry of Fredericksburg, Va. and Nellie Ruth Ellard Hutcheson of Poplar Bluff; four grandchildren: Patrick Sheridan Dougherty and wife Megan, Brian Cleburne Dougherty and wife Amber, David Andrew Hutcheson and wife Samantha and Laura Ruth Brown and husband Matt; one great-grandchild, Kinzley Tegan Dougherty; a step great-grandchild, Jake Raines; two sisters, Lula Dell Smith and husband Rayburn of Trussville, Ala. and Nell McGee and husband Colon of Corinth, Miss; and many nieces and nephews.

Her parents, John Myrick and Ruth (Brewer) Fancher, infant twin sons, John Isaac Ellard and Cecil Myrick Ellard and sister, Mary Alice Braswell preceded Mrs. Ellard in death.

Visitation will begin at 1 p.m. Wednesday at Cotrell Funeral Chapel in Poplar Bluff. The funeral service will follow at 2 p.m. in the Chapel with Charles Harper officiating. Burial will be later at the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield, Mo.

Family and friends may share an online condolence or memory at www.cotrellfuneralservice.com.