Lifelong Fayette resident, Martha “Marti” Ballew, 93, passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by her loving family, on March 27, 2020.

Martha Louise “Marti” Ballew was born April 16, 1926 in rural Fayette, Mo., a daughter to the late Kenneth E. and Linda Mabel (McClammer) Earl. She attended elementary at Jackson rural school and graduated from Fayette High School in 1942. On March 16, 1947, she married the love of her life, Paul Marion Ballew, at Linn Memorial United Methodist Church in Fayette. Together they enjoyed over 64 years of marriage, until Mr. Ballew’s passing on December 1, 2011. Together with her late sister, Marti co-owned and operated Mary-Mart Ladies Ready to Wear in Fayette for several years in the mid to late sixties. She worked as a bookkeeper for the physicians at Lee Hospital, Keller Hospital and the Fayette Medical Clinic, in Fayette, for many years. Growing up in a musical family, Marti, along with her sister and mother, would sing and play piano at numerous gatherings, including weddings, funerals and church events. Marti was a devout and longtime member of Moniteau Chapel Church.

Survivors include three children, Brenda Diehls, Mardell (Bill) Wies, and Bart (Tammy) Ballew, all of Fayette, Mo.; nine grandchildren and nineteen great-grandchildren; niece, Linda (Randy) Rauch of Columbia, Mo. and nephew, David Earl (Debbie) Wiswall of Fayette, Mo. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by great-grandson, Charles Diehls, her sister Mary Opal Wiswall, and nephew James K. Wiswall.

Due to CDC guidelines, a private service for the immediate family only, will take place on Tuesday, March 31, 2020 at Walnut Ridge Cemetery in Fayette, Mo., with Rev. Harold Young officiating. The family intends on having a public celebration of life gathering at Moniteau Chapel at a later date.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the American Heart Association or St. Jude Children’s Hospital, in care of Friemonth-Freese Funeral Service, 174 Hwy. 5 & 240 N., Fayette, Mo. 65248.