Martha Ann Grimes Burke passed away on Sunday September 6, 2026, at Heather Manor Nursing Home surrounded by her loving family. She was born on December 23, 1942, at Cora Donnell Hospital in Prescott, Arkansas to the late Dorothy Cottingham Grimes and Lloyd Grimes. She grew up in a close-knit loving family with her parents, younger sister Donna and Grandad Charlie and Grandmother Ada.
Music was always a focus in her life. From a young age Martha became a talented pianist and vocalist. As a young girl and teenager, she sang and played the piano for many local churches. She had a Sunday morning spot on KTPA radio during her high school years and played the bells in the Prescott High School Marching band. She excelled in academics as well and was Salutatorian of her HS graduating class. As a young married couple, Martha and her husband Ronnie formed The Messengers, a gospel quartet with the late Wayne Bell and EC Myrick. The Messengers sang for many churches and revivals throughout South Arkansas for many years. They even made an album from a collection of their favorites. As a mother she shared her love for music and the Burke kids grew up singing in church and performing as a family at church services and revivals. While her children attended The Little Red Schoolhouse in Nashville AR Martha played the piano and taught the songs for every kindergarten recital. In the Methodist Church she served as pianist for the Century Bible Class and children’s Sunday School classes and often played for church services. Martha and Ronnie also enjoyed singing together in the UMC choir for many years.
Martha stayed at home to raise her three children and work with her husband Ronnie on their poultry and cattle farms. Later Martha became the head of bookkeeping at the Hempstead County Farmers Association in Hope where she worked till retirement.
Martha will be remembered as someone who put others first, but especially her family. She adored her husband, her children and grandchildren and their spouses and her two precious great-grandsons. If you knew Martha, you knew how proud she was of all of them. She loved her family deeply.
She is survived by her husband Ronnie J. Burke, daughters Jan Burke and Missie Burke Evgenides and her husband Jason, son Rusty Burke and his wife Sharlene, grandson Nicholas Burke Evgenides and his wife Sydnie, granddaughter Kylie Evgenides Stonecipher and her husband Blake, great-grandsons Arlin Whitt Evgenides and Thomas Jack Stonecipher, sister Donna Grimes, nephew Shane and his children Dakota and Shelby.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, September 10, 2026, at Brazzel-Oakcrest Funeral Home with Bro. Keenan Williams officiating. Visitation will be held 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. before the service. Burial will be at White Oak Grove Cemetery in DeAnn under the direction of Brazzel-Oakcrest Funeral Home, The Funeral Home of Hope, Ben Brazzel, Director.