Martha Dawkins Bragg, age 105, passed away Friday, June 25, 2021 at Loch Haven Nursing Home in Macon, Missouri.
She was born June 2, 1916 near Coatsville, Missouri in Schuyler County, the daughter of James and Lillie (Mock) Houston. In 1934 she married Raymond F. Dawkins who preceded her in death from a hunting accident in 1951. In 1953 she married Otis Bragg who preceded her in death in 1988.
Also preceding her in death were her parents; two grandchildren, Debbie Ward and Gary Love; two brothers, Paul and Alfred Houston; one sister, Mary Houston; one stepson, Carrol Lee Bragg; two sons-in-law, Thomas Ward and Stephen Love; one daughter-in-law, Anne (Bethel) Dawkins; and niece, Charlotte (Albert) Anderson.
Surviving are four children, Carol Ward of Hallsville, Missouri, Marjorie Love of Liberty, Missouri, Kathleen (James) Foley of Bevier, Missouri, and John (Betsy) Dawkins of Centralia, Missouri; one stepson, Ronald (Karen) Bragg of La Plata, Missouri; one stepdaughter-in-law, Carolyn Bragg; thirteen grandchildren, great grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, great-great-great-grandchildren, and two great nephews.
Martha was a 1933 graduate of Lancaster High School. In 1947 she and Raymond moved from Kirksville, Missouri to La Plata where they purchased the City Bakery Café and made their home. She was a member of the La Plata Baptist Church since 1948, and served faithfully as its treasurer for 30 years. Martha also was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star since 1934, and was a Lifetime member of the National Association of Retired Federal Employees.
Martha had a lifelong passion for reading and served as librarian for the La Plata Public Library from 1965 to 1983. She participated in the Retired Senior Volunteer program and assisted at the La Plata food Distribution center and the clothing center. She and Otis also delivered Meals on Wheels in the La Plata area.
Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, June 30,2021 at Travis Funeral Chapel in La Plata, Missouri. Burial will be in the La Plata Cemetery.
Visitation will be one hour prior to the service, starting at 10:00 a.m.
Memorials in memory of Martha may be made to the La Plata Public Library or La Plata Baptist Church. They may be sent to or left at Travis Funeral Chapel, 125 S. Church St., La Plata, MO 63549.