Viola Agnes (Daily) Martin was born August 29, 1930 in rural Sullivan County near Milan, Missouri and died with her daughter by her side on February 7, 2023 at Northeast Regional Medical Center, aged 92. A long time resident of Kirksville, Missouri, Viola was preceded in death by her parents James Edward and Bertha Ellen (Lawrence) Daily, five brothers and one sister. Also preceding her death were two sons: Dr. William L. Martin II and Dr. Michael J. Martin.
She is survived by daughter Patricia A. (Martin) Taff of Kirksville, and sister Therese (Daily) Sikorski of Tucson, Arizona. She is also survived by six grandchildren: Michael J. Martin II, Alexander J. Martin, Nickolas J. Martin, Megan N. Lacey-Martin, Jessica J. (Taff) Higgins, Christopher R. Taff and Julie A. (Martin Mosley) Stagner. She also has six great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Viola was baptized, confirmed and married at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Milan, Missouri. At the time of her death she had been a long time member of Mary Immaculate Church in Kirksville.
Viola attended rural schools, Milan High school, received an undergraduate degree in Elementary Education, a masters degree in Teaching of Reading from Northeast Missouri State College (now Truman State University) and the Doctor of Curriculum and Instruction, with an emphasis in Teaching of Reading from the University of Missouri, Columbia.
In the fall of 1949 Viola began her teaching career in Prairie Flower, a one-room school in Sullivan County. She taught grades one through eight for five years; some of her first students were students she had attended school with in that same grade school; some were nieces and a nephew. In 1954 Viola married William L. Martin, a doctor of Optometry in Kirksville, and their children were born in 1955, 1956 and 1957. In 1955 she taught in a one-room school in Adair County, Hungry Hollow. In 1959 she taught grades 3 and 4 at Mary Immaculate in Kirksville.
In 1964 Viola resumed her career as Reading and Language Arts Supervisor K-12 in Centerville, Iowa. During her time there she helped establish one of the first Head Start programs in Iowa. In 1966, at the invitation of Dr. Walter H. Ryle, President of Kirksville State Teachers College, she returned to Kirksville and established a reading and study skills program for the college and taught undergraduate Teaching of Reading courses for elementary and secondary English Education majors. During this time Viola established a local chapter of the International Reading Association to promote exchanges between college faculty and public school teachers. She was a frequent lecturer at the International Reading Association conventions.
In 1969 Viola received a Curator’s Scholarship from the University of Missouri and completed her doctorate in 1972. Returning to her position at Kirksville with full professorship she was curriculum advisor for students seeking masters degrees in Teaching of Reading. Viola retired from teaching in 1992.
Quota International, a public service club, established a chapter in Kirksville and Viola was one of the charter members; she was elected president of the chapter in 1983. For several years Quota’s emphasis was helping those with speech or hearing difficulties find help and equipment. Victim Support needs were added to this recently.
Being a lector at mass at Mary Immaculate Church was among the most rewarding and important experiences of Viola’s life. Teaching was wonderful for Viola, she spread her love of teaching, reading and the teaching of reading throughout the world. Her wicked sense of humor, her love of her children, her devotion to education and the love she gave to her religion and community will be sorely missed.
Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 pm with prayer service at 7:00 pm at Travis-Noe Funeral Home on Friday, February 10, 2023. A funeral mass will be said at 10:00 am at Mary Immaculate Catholic Church in Kirksville, MO, on Saturday February 11, 2023.
Contributions in her memory are suggested to go to Mary Immaculate Catholic Church of Kirksville and may be left at the church or mailed to Travis-Noe Funeral Home, P.O. Box 306, Kirksville, MO 63501.