Mary Lavada Martin of Steelville, Missouri passed away Sunday, October 28, 2012 in St. Louis at the age of 77 years. She was born February 5, 1935 in Cherryville, Missouri to Arthur J. Callahan and Sarah E. Harris Callahan. On August 20, 1955 in Cherryville, MO, she was united in marriage to Delmar E. "Red" Martin who preceded her in death in 1987.

Lavada attended the Steelville House of Prayer, known as the Cherryville Community Church for the last thirteen years. She alwalys had a love for music.  Lavada, her husband "Red" and all of their children would play instruments and sing many a gospel hymn. She enjoyed gardening, cooking, canning and baking for all of her family. She was a "good and wonderful" mom.

She will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by her children, Larry Martin and wife Barb, Ricky Martin and wife Cindy, Richard Martin and wife Sandi, Vickie Hanks and husband Tim, Roland Martin and wife Karen and Gina Santhuff and husband Don all of Steelville, MO and Rodney Martin and wife Marsha of Cherryville, MO; twenty-one grandchildren,  Todd (Carissa), Sonny (Andrea), Joe (Lisa), Tanya (Brad), Ben (Rachel), Anthony ( Sunni), Tenise (Dalton), Gwen, Monica (Jason), Richi, Brandon, John (Pam), Melissa (Albert), Sarah (Daniel), Amy, Stephen, Jay, Kourtney, MaKenzie, Liv and Emi; nineteen great-grandchildren, Holly, Caleb, Levi, Emma, Anna, Cassi, Matthew, Toby, Cameron, Drew, Regan, Jay Ray, Jason, Kaitlynn, John, Addison, Amity, Hayden and Netalia; sisters-in-law, Emma Jean Carter of Steelville, MO, Billie Jean Chapman and husband Jim of Cuba, MO, Sally Martin of St. Louis, MO and Doris of Bourbon, MO; brother-in-law, Virgil Martin of Cedar Hill, MO; nieces, nephews; other relatives; and many friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband "Red" Martin; three brothers, Landis Callahan and wife Alvie, Arlis Callahan and wife Mabel and Rev. Marvin Callahan and wife Ruth; four sisters, Clella Godbey and husband Roy, Lois Beal and husband Jim Lee, Bonnie England and husband Glen and Stella Callahan; brothers-in-law, Haskell "Hack" Martin and wife Betty, Charlie Martin and Joe Martin; and sisters-in-law, Wanda Schroeder, Margie Nagel and Mary F. Martin.

The Family received friends from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 30, 2012 at the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville, MO.

Funeral services were held at 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 31, 2012 at the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home in Steelville, MO with Rev. Larry Martin and Stephen Martin officiating. Special music "Special Love" was sung by Monica Payne, Richie Martin and Teel Wisdom accompanied on piano by Sandy Martin. Other music "Go Rest High" was sung by Jay Martin accompanied by Sandy Martin on piano and Caleb Martin on harmonica. "For Me It's Hello" was the closing song. Memories were shared by members of the family.

Committal prayer and interment were in the Schwieder Cemetery at Steelville, MO.

Honored to be casket bearers were grandsons, Todd Martin, Sonny Martin, Joe Martin, Brandon Hanks, John Martin, Ben Martin, Anthony Martin, Stephen Martin and Jay Martin..

The Family was served by the Britton-Bennett Funeral Home of Steelville, MO.