Martha Sharp Gatling  (9/25/35 - 5/31/23)

Martha passed away at home in Oklahoma City on Wednesday, May 31, 2023.  She was born in Watson, AR on September 25, 1935 to Leroy Baine Sharp and Virginia Saine Sharp.

When she was about four years old, her family moved to Camden.   She and her beloved brother, Leroy Sharp, Jr. (Columbia, MO) and her youngest brother, Gibbs Sharp (deceased), were fortunate to have wonderful parents, Leroy and Virginia.  Leroy was a well-known building contractor in Camden, developing Sharp Avenue and all of the Roseman Road area, along with numerous private homes and businesses throughout southern Arkansas.  Virginia was Leroy's bookkeeper.

Martha lived an idyllic childhood in Camden, graduating from Camden High School in 1953.   She was immensely proud of her family and her roots in Camden, especially her childhood friendships. After high school, she attended Henderson State Teachers College and the University of Arkansas.

On December 22, 1955, Martha married her high school sweetheart, Bob Gatling.   On their first anniversary, their precious daughter Karol Ann was born.  A couple of years later, Lynn and son, Kyle. Martha and Bob lived in Fayetteville while Bob finished his graduate degree.  In 1957, they moved to Bentonville, where Bob began his football coaching career.  Martha, always enthusiastic about Bob's college football coaching career, moved the family 12 times, making numerous friends in Arkansas, South Carolina, Wyoming, Louisiana, and Virginia, before returning to Camden and Hot Springs to retire.  Lastly, Bob and Martha moved to Oklahoma City, where she lived until her passing.

Martha was an accomplished artist, in juried shows wherever they lived.   She also loved to play golf, garden and was an excellent duplicate bridge player — Bob always her partner.

Martha was especially proud of her two children:  Lynn Lee (David) of Oklahoma City and Kyle (Jill) of Camden and her grandchildren and great-grandchildren:  Bryan Hilton (Corry, Asher and Quinn) of Bethlehem, PA; Blake Hilton (Desiree and Noor) of Oklahoma City, OK; Rachel Gatling Haverty (Patrick and Hayes) of Kansas City, MO; Annika Gatling of Hot Springs, AR; John Miller (Hudson) of Benton, AR and Ryan Miller (Bella and Beau) of Plano, TX.

A graveside service will be held at Memorial Park Cemetery in Camden, AR, on Wednesday, June 7, 2023 at 2 p.m. Proctor Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.