Martha Dillard

Martha Ann Dillard, 79, of Cape Girardeau went home to heaven Saturday, May 14, 2022, after a brief battle with meningitis.

Marty was born July 14, 1942, in Grosse Pointe, Michigan, to the late Andrew Jackson and Roliene May Eldred. She married R. Howard Dillard on Nov. 30, 1963, in Columbia, Missouri.

Marty was a graduate of Stephen's College and the University of Missouri-Columbia, where she earned a bachelor's degree in elementary education. Marty taught school briefly before dedicating many years to raising her and Howard's children and volunteering in youth organizations including Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts and PTA.

Marty had a keen eye and great appreciation for art and design. She worked at Hoche House Gallery for a number of years and enjoyed helping her friends pick out the perfect piece for their home. She was a long-term member of the board of the Cape Girardeau Public Library, Friends of the Library and P.E.O. International. In addition to her life-long passion for reading, Marty loved travel, beaches, bridge club and family.

She was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Mary Eldred Ponder; and parents-in-law, Albert and Lola Dillard.

Marty is survived by her devoted husband, Howard; daughter, Cynthia Dillard Parres; son, Andrew (Teresa) Dillard; grandchildren, Brittany Dillard (Steve) Esswein, Andrew Howard Dillard II and Kenneth Paul Parres II; and many cherished friends who were like family to her.

Visitation will be from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau.

A celebration of life service will follow at 2 p.m. at the funeral home. Private burial will be at Lakeview Cemetery in Ludington, Michigan.

Memorial contributions may be given to the Cape Girardeau Public Library or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Online condolences may be made at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.