Martha Ann (Cotter) Burns

God called Martha Ann Burns (Cotter), daughter of Frederick Everett and Cecile Etna McAlister (Cotter) to her heavenly home Thursday, June 8, 2023.

Funeral services will be Monday, June 12, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at the Park Baptist Church in Brookfield with Pastor David Blakely officiating.  Burial will be in Purdin Cemetery in Purdin.  Visitation will be held Monday, June 12, 2023, from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service at the Church.

Memorials to Purdin Cemetery may be left at or mailed to Wright Funeral Home, P.O. Box 496, Brookfield, MO 64628.

She was born August 1, 1928, in Kirksville, Missouri and grew up on a farm south of Browning and went to Jenkins Country School, then to Browning High School, graduating in 1945. In the Fall of 1945, she started teaching at the Gooch Country School where she taught for 2 years.

Martha married Vernon DeVore on June 6, 1946, and they were the parents of Bonnie Head, Donna Rollison, Debbie Knifong and Kathy Mundell. They lived on a farm east of Browning.

Vernon passed away October 5,1978. She then married Ralph Williams. He passed away in November 1987. Martha moved to Brookfield and married Kenneth Burns, they lived north of Brookfield and later moved to town. Kenneth passed away in August of 2022.

Martha worked at the Brookfield-Purdin Bank until retirement and worked for Senate Bill 40 for several years.  She was a member of the Park Baptist Church, Red Hat Rovers and the Pershing Hospital Auxiliary.

She enjoyed playing cards, playing dominos with her friends, dancing, sewing, crocheting and loved her family.

Survivors include her four daughters, Bonnie Head, of Brookfield, Donna Rollison and husband, Bob of Laclede, Debbie Knifong and husband, Dyle of Canon City, Colorado and Kathy Mundell of Brookfield; thirteen grandchildren, Shane and Danielle Head, Rob Tollerton, Shanon and Nicole Head, Shandra and Drew Bextermueller, Rob and Regeana Rollison, Sherry and Tommy Boles, Tim and Cadie Rollison, Brian and Amy Knifong, Brad and Kristin Knifong, Aaron and Billie Knifong, Kiley and Charles Allen, Tara and Ryan Nerling and Cody Mundell; several great grandchildren, nine great-great grandchildren and many other extended family members.

She was preceded by her parents; her husbands; granddaughter, Sharese Head Berry Tollerton; sons in law, Gary Head and Tony Mundell.

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