Frances Sue Shepherd Martin mother, grandmother, and sister passed away October 13th 2023 at St. Mark's Hospital after an extended illness.
She was born December 6th 1936 in Cumberland, KY to Marvin Shepherd and Lydia Mae Creech Shepherd. She graduated from Eastern High School in 1955. Studied at Lindsey College for two years and graduated from Union College with a BS in education in 1959. She was a high school art teacher in Harland, KY when she met a missionary from Utah named James Ernest Martin. She was baptized and became a member of the LDS church in 1960. Shortly after James completed his mission and returned to Utah mom received a job offer from Granite School District and moved to Utah where she began her 30-year teaching career as a 3rd grade teacher at West Kearns Elementary. She married James Ernest Martin on July 23rd, 1963 in the Salt Lake Temple. They had 2 children, daughter Marianne Martin and son Andrew James Martin. They were later divorced. Mom was a talented artist and her beautiful oil paintings can be found in many homes of her friends and family members. She was a home making maven and our home was beautifully decorated for every holiday. She made the best scones and her peanut butter fudge was legendary. She was a true Southern Belle, always well dressed and accessorized. She carried herself with style and grace. She was kind, compassionate, nurturing, and a friend to all. She was selfless, always thinking of others and making sure everyone around her was taken care of. If you knew mom then you'd been on the receiving end of her southern hospitality. She was beautiful in every way. She was a loving mother who adored her children and doted on her grandchildren. She had a quirky sense of humor and a smile that lit up the room. Mom was a cancer survivor beating breast cancer and stage 4 melanoma prior to her recent illness. Now that she's gone the sun won't shine as brightly and there will be dark days ahead, but we take comfort in knowing that she's free of the pain that has plagued her for the last two years. We love you mama.
Survived by her children, 3 grandchildren, Katie, Maddie, and Kaynen, brother Paul Shepherd, and sister Ruby Ann Robison. Preceded in death by her parents, brother Vincent Shepherd, sister Helen Sturgill, and son in law Kent Phillips.
Special thanks to the nursing staff at St. Mark's Hospital and Tammy from Tender Care Hospice for their gentle compassionate care of our mother during her last week of life.
Funeral services will be held Friday October 20th 2023 at the Chevy Chase Ward House, 5235 S Wesley Rd Murray UT, with visitation one hour prior to services. Interment will be in the Murray City Cemetery.
I taught school with Frances. She was a superb teacher. I am sorry to hear of her passing.
Francis was a wonderful woman. She was so kind and loving and a beautiful soul. She will be dearly missed by everyone.
I'll miss you mom
Mrs. Martin was the 2nd grade teacher for myself and all of my siblings. I was the youngest, and by the time I was in her class, she enjoyed my family so much she made me Top Banana on the first day. She made me feel so special. We're so sorry for your loss. She was amazing!
Mrs. Martin was mine and my two brothers and sister’s second grade teacher at West Kearns in the early to late ‘80s. We all loved her so much! I just came across her obituary tonight (4/1/24) after years of searching for her with no success. She was not only beautiful on the outside but inside as well. She was so happy and taught us so much. She gave me a porcelain Easter Bunny and two porcelain eggs that I still have. Whenever I look at them from now on, I’ll be reminded that I discovered her death around Easter and be comforted knowing that we’ll see her again because of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. She attended my mission farewell in August 1996 and that meant the world to me. My prayers for your continued comfort and peace.