Martha Dee Bray of Garfield, Arkansas, passed away on February 25th at her home, surrounded by loving family.

She was born November 15, 1937, and for those eighty-eight years it was a privilege to be known and loved by her, and to know and love her. She began her life as the daughter of Arkansans who met in California doing migrant work. The family settled in Arizona to farm before moving to Rogers, AR, when Martha was in the 8th grade. Her brother, Donald Shaw, remained in Arizona, where he started his career and family in the Mesa area. Martha met her husband, Rodden Bray, at Rogers High School, and they grew close through a youth group at Brightwater Church. She fondly spoke of their dates to the Rogers airstrip to chase rabbits in Rodden's car. They married on December 24, 1955, while Martha was still a senior in high school. Within a few years—and after working various jobs and as farm hands—they made their way to Gann Ridge Road in Garfield in 1962 to begin their own journey. From that point on, the heartbeat of the Bray family lived with Martha in her home. She and Rodden raised three sons—Dennis, John, and Joe—who stayed close to the farm and raised their own families on or near the land. Life on the farm was full of adventure as they raised milk cows, chickens, beef cattle, angora goats, and even an exotic animal farm. When grandchildren came along, the farmhouse became lively and loud, complete with a swing and slide in the living room and a deep freezer full of Little Debbie treats. Animals often made their way inside as well sometimes out of necessity, sometimes for entertainment—including horses, goats, a lion, a monkey, and even a bear.

Behind all of this was Martha's steady work. She carried the labor of the chicken houses, the home, and the family. She worked long days and never complained. If Rodden was the dreamer, Martha was the glue—quiet, steadfast, and essential. Her work was never loud or flashy, but it was the daily, unseen labor that kept both farm and family together for decades. After Rodden's passing in 2004, Martha showed remarkable resilience and joy in her later years. She rekindled a close friendship with Norma Billings, and together they found new adventures in cafes and flea markets in the tri-state area. She also traveled with family, visiting Pennsylvania, Arizona, Texas, Washington, California, Utah, Wyoming, Montana, South Dakota and Tennessee. If there was fun to be had, Martha was in. Martha's home was always open. There was always coffee, a meal, and something sweet waiting, and as generations grew, blue Ball jars of candy lined her kitchen counter. She carried challenges quietly, always choosing the happiness of her family above her own.

Over time, her home became the family's center—its gravity—tethering everyone to each other, to the land and to something greater than any individual one of us. Holidays and everyday moments alike were gathered there: the 4th of July, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, birthdays, weekly dinners, and weekend breakfasts. Friends, extended family, and former farm hands often returned years later just to visit her. Martha remained deeply connected to her brother's family in Arizona, with frequent visits and weekly phone calls—Donald and Evelyn on separate phones in their house and Martha on hers. Nieces Joy, Cheryl, and Susan called, visited, and sent gifts often. Martha taught us through her actions: she lived in the moment, held no regrets, spoke ill of no one, and carried herself with quiet dignity. Her steady, predictable love created the space in which her family grew.

Now, the Bray family faces a life without her as our anchor. But Martha showed us how to love and show up for one another with grace, compassion, and patience. From her example, we will find our footing. We thank Amazing Grace Homecare (Kerri, Jordan, and Tiffina) for caring for Martha like family in her final years, and Circle of Life Hospice for bringing dignity and compassion to the hardest of times. Martha is preceded in death by her parents, Leland Shaw and Grace (Whittenberg) Shaw; her husband, Rodden Bray; her son, Dennis Bray; and her daughter-in-law, Diane (Miller).

Bray. She is survived by son John Bray and wife LaVonne (Pistole) Bray, son Joe Bray; beloved family Victor and Rosa Hernandez, all of Garfield, AR; her brother and sister-in-law Donald and Evelyn Shaw of Mesa, AZ; 11 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; one great- great-grandchild; and many "adopted" grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Graveside service will be 1:00 p.m. Saturday, February 28, 2026 at Liberty Cemetery in Garfield. No Visitation.