Martha Ann Early

Martha Ann (Shier) Early of Bates City, Missouri passed away Tuesday morning, November 30, 2021 at Centerpoint Medical Center in Independence, Missouri. She was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and known for her sweet and caring nature. Martha was born April 30, 1939, to Thomas Henry and Bessie Pearl (Ballard) Shier of Holden, Missouri. She was united in marriage on September 28, 1957 to Marshall Duane Early at Elm Springs Baptist Church. Martha graduated from Holden High School - Class of 1956. After graduation, she began working as a private secretary for R.B. DeLaney and later a secretary for Missouri Public Service of Raytown. As with her nurturing compassionate personality, Martha and Duane moved back to the Early homestead to care for her in-laws and helped raise her brother-in-law, Dennis. She continued to support Duane’s farming endeavors, raised her boys, cared for her home, and helped to provide for her family’s needs by working as a cook at the Holden School District. She was a member of the Elm Springs Baptist Church. Martha was an active leader in the Basin Knob 4-H Club and had an annual window display at the Holden Fall Fiesta helping to educate fellow fair-goers of the importance of agriculture by showing produce she harvested from the farm. Martha enjoyed spending time with her four granddaughters. She could be seen at each of their events with her camera recording their many memories. She spent many hours compiling pictures so each of them could have photo albums of all the pictures she took. Besides following the granddaughters, Martha had a massive garden yielding many tomatoes, green beans, sweet corn along with any other vegetable you could have. Her kitchen saw many quart jars of vegetables canned over the years, along with the many large meals prepared. Oftentimes the family would comment that it looked as though she was “feeding an army”. Martha was quick to offer food or anything she had to family, friends and community. Martha is survived by her husband, Duane of the home; son Howard (Cheryl) Early of Leeton, MO; 4 granddaughters, Brittany (Cohen) Kelsey of Brashear, MO, Mallory (Layne) Robinson of Russell, IA, Kennedy and Chezney Early of Leeton; 3 great-grandsons, Stockton Wyatt Kelsey, Stadler Marshall Kelsey and Olson McRae Robinson; 1 brother, Charles (Evelyn) Shier of Bedford, IA; sister-in-laws, Jane Merrill of Warrensburg, MO, Patsy (Tom) Rymer of Warsaw, MO, Sharon Early of Bates City; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her son, Harold Early; brother-in-law, Dennis Early; and her parents. The family will receive friends on Sunday, December 5, 2021 from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at Campbell-Cast Funeral Home in Holden, MO. A funeral service will be held at 10:00 AM on Monday, December 6, 2021 at the funeral home with Dr. Dan Lowry officiating. Burial will follow in the Elm Spring Cemetery. The family suggests memorial contributions to Crossroads Hospice or Shriner’s of Kansas City and these donations may be mailed to or left in care of the funeral home.

Martha Ann Early

April 30, 1939 - November 30, 2021