Martha Bright

MARTHA BRIGHT

Mount Pleasant

Martha Bright, 81, of Mount Pleasant, Iowa, passed away Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2019, at Savannah Heights.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 24, at Finley Chapel United Methodist Church with

Pastor Lindsey Ford officiating. Following the service, family will greet friends at the church. Burial will be in Finley Cemetery.

Memorials may be given to Finley Cemetery Association or Every Step Hospice. Online condolences may be directed to www.olsonpowell.com.

Born May 15, 1938, in Mount Pleasant, Iowa, Martha Ann was the daughter of Bernard Kauffman and Martha Helen (Todd) Bates. She was a 1955 graduate of Mount Pleasant High School and attended AIB in Des Moines. On Dec. 23, 1956, at Finley Chapel UMC, she married Earnest J. Bright.

"Martie" worked as a bookkeeper for Staats, for Henry County Hospital in registration, as a school bus driver, and for many years as a dispatcher for the Henry County Sheriff's Office. She also worked for Prestige Printshop in St. Louis as a secretary.

An active member of Finley Chapel UMC, Martie was also a former member of Chapter J TTT of Wayland. Martie loved to play softball with her girls and was involved in getting the softball diamonds in Mount Pleasant established. She quilted, embroidered, and made lap quilts for those in nursing homes. She was a voracious reader and while she wasn't a big gardener, she enjoyed canning the produce. Family was Martie's life focus.

Along with her husband of 63 years, Martie is survived by three daughters, Linda Fear of Mount Pleasant, Brenda (Mike Wheelock) Bright of Ames and M. Sharon (Bill) Beattie of Mt. Pleasant; one son, Douglas (Karen) Bright of Keokuk; six grandchildren, Renee, Cameron, Alicia, Joe, Greg and Rachelle; three great-grandchildren; and two step-grandchildren.

Preceding her in death are her parents; brother, James Bates; and nephew, Charles Bates.