Martha Jean Locke Roark, 90, of Graham, passed away Wednesday, August 17, 2022 at home after a lengthy illness. Born April 27, 1932 in Graham, the daughter of Paul and Idocia Vincent Locke, she was raised in Graham and graduated from Graham School in 1950 as the salutatorian of her class. After graduation, she married James Delbert (J.D.) Roark, Sr. from Graham and they had five children. Martha worked at G.E. in Owensboro and York Borg Warner in Madisonville, where she later retired. She was a member of the Eastern Star for 56 years where she held many offices. Martha was also a devoted Christian and a life-long member of Corley Chapel Church. She served as a Sunday School teacher and church pianist.
She is preceded in death by her husband James Delbert (J.D.) Roark, Sr., her parents Paul and Idocia Locke, a son James Delbert Roark, Jr., a daughter Elizabeth Ann Stevens, two sisters Ernestine and Vonda Locke, and a brother Densel Locke.
Survivors include her daughters, Dana (Ronnie) Vincent of Powderly, Carol (Don Storch) Word of Graham and Leslie Rolley (Blain Mepham) of Shorewood, Ill.; son-in-law, David Stevens of Graham, daughter-in-law, Lequetta Roark of Greenville; sisters, Pauletta (Vernon) Richardson of Greenville and Phyllis (Steve) Mead of Rockport, Ind.; 14 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; 10 great-great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be Monday, August 22 at 1:00 p.m. at Corley Chapel Church in Graham, with Bro. Barry Noe officiating. Burial will follow in the Corley Chapel Church Cemetery. Gary’s Funeral Home in Greenville is in charge of arrangements. Visitation will be Monday, August 22 from 11:00 a.m. until time of service at Corley Chapel Church in Graham.
Memorial gifts are encouraged to Corley Chapel Church. Envelopes will be available.
Online condolences to the family may be made at www.garysfuneralhome.net.
