Martha J Lenington

MARTHA LENINGTON OBIT Martha Joyce LENINGTON, 84, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister and active resident of Choctaw, OK, had her Heavenly Homecoming on June 13, 2018 in Prague, OK. She was born May 30, 1934 in Oklahoma City to James Alvie and Nola Leota McGinnis Lunsford. She attended some college and worked in the health care business as a nurses’ aide. Martha enjoyed sewing, drawing, painting and reading and was an active board member of Tri-City Youth and Family Center from 1979-2012 and a longtime member of the Choctaw Library Guild. When Evelyn Parker, then postmistress of Choctaw with the help of Sen. Tom Steed, secured a caboose in 1975 and placed it in its current location near NE 23 and Henney Road, Martha was on the committee that made it possible. The caboose was dedicated July 4, 1976, after a parade celebrating the event. Martha worked tirelessly as a volunteer curator and historian for the caboose and the history of Choctaw until her health limited her activities. She and Milton Cannon designed a bicentennial coin for the dedication in 1976 and proceeds from the sale were helped to refurbish the caboose. Martha worked with celebrated novelist Louis L'Amour, who planned to become a boxing promoter in Choctaw. She worked with L’Amour by trying to get several local youths interested, but Martha soon discovered that the noted author’s heart wasn't in the endeavor but he didn't’t get out of town before she recorded the entire episode. She mapped all the changes to Choctaw over the years and placed many of them on display in the museum. One of her prized exhibits detailed the adventures of Lyle Boren, father of former U.S. Senator and OU President David Boren, who had roots in Choctaw. The activities building at CHS is named for him. Martha’s motto was, “I like history and I like to keep it going for Choctaw.” Martha is survived by four sons, Charles and Barbara LENINGTON of Paden; John David LENINGTON Jr. of Irving, TX, Mark William LENINGTON of Choctaw and Brian Quinton and Billie LENINGTON of Colcord, OK; one brother, George Ivan Lunsford of Oklahoma City; one sister, Dorthy Marie Gaines of Edmond, OK; 3 grandchildren; 9 great-grandchildren and several step-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, her son, Jeffrey Lee LENINGTON. brother James William Lunsford, and ex husband, John David LENINGTON Sr., Granddaughter Kimberly Ann LENINGTON, Grandson Nathanial Scott Lenington. Memorial services will be 11 A.M.. Friday, June 22 at Choctaw United Methodist Church under direction of Asa Smith Funeral Service, Harrah. Tributes and condolences may be placed on the funeral home web-site asasmith.net. in lieu of flowers donations to one of the following: Choctaw Library Guild Tri-City Youth and Family Center Choctaw Parks Foundation (Flower beds on 23rd St) (% of Jeanie Abts)