Martha Ardell Chambers

Martha Ardell (Clark) Chambers of Osage City KS, age 90, entered eternal rest on Friday, October 6, 2023. She was a resident at Osage Nursing Center, Osage City, KS. Martha was born in her home in Richmond, KS on March 19, 1933 and lived in Richmond and Ottawa all of her life until she went to the Nursing Center. Her parents preceded her in death, Joseph Robert Clark, and Elva Birdean Clark.

Martha was a graduate of Richmond High School in Richmond, KS. On September 16, 1949, Martha was united in marriage with Otis Burnett and had two sons – Robert Dwayne and Randy Joe. Then on May 25, 1958, Martha was united in marriage with James “Jim” Chambers and had a daughter, Rebecca Marie and a son, Kelly Scott. Martha worked for Ottawa University and King Radio, both in Ottawa, KS.

Martha enjoyed traveling in the backseat of the car on annual vacations throughout the United States. She was known to take the gray line roads and rarely traveled on the interstate highways. While sitting in the backseat, she would journal and bring colored pencils to sketch scenery along the highways and byways.

Martha was a Sunday School teacher for several years and taught the young children’s class at the Richmond United Methodist Church. She was a member there until 1989 when she transferred her church membership to Ottawa United Methodist. Martha rarely missed a Sunday church service. She enjoyed serving the Lord in many ways, and never wanted recognition of her service. She also taught an adult four-year Bible study course called the Menninger Bible Course covering the entire Bible.

Martha had a love for music and enjoyed Southern Gospel quartets, country music, and early rock and roll music. There was always music playing in her home and she enjoyed listening to the radio. She would always go to Ottawa City Park in the summer for concerts in the bandstand gazebo. She really enjoyed listening to the band, clapping her hands, and tapping her feet to the music. She also enjoyed going to any holiday or fair parades.

Martha’s favorite holiday was Christmas. She enjoyed decorating her home with lights and ornaments, making several varieties of Christmas candies and goodies to share with others. One highlight for this time of year was you could always hear her coming – she always wore jingle bells on her shoes every Christmas.

Martha was preceded in death by her two brothers, Robert Louis Clark (Bertha), of McPherson, KS, and John Dwayne Clark of Ottawa, KS, one son, Kelly Chambers of Ottawa, daughter-in-law Jolene Burnett, and two granddaughters, Samantha Chambers and Kristina (Burnett) Roth.

Surviving children are sons Robert Dwayne Burnett (Diane), of LaCygne, KS, and Randy Joe Burnett of Ottawa, KS. One daughter Rebecca (Chambers) Allman (Donald) of Osage City, KS.; Seven grandchildren - Jason Burnett (Nichole) of Olathe, KS; Derek Roth of Hesston, KS; Abby Hedrick (Rob) of Overland Park, KS, Michael Burnett of Ottawa, KS, Amanda Spooner of Ottawa, KS, Crystal Strobel (Dahlton) of Cimarron, KS, Taelor Dodds of Ottawa, KS and 16 great grandchildren.

Services will be held Wednesday, October 11, 2023 at Richmond United Methodist Church in Richmond KS. Visitation will be at 10:00am with funeral service at 11:00am. Graveside service will follow at Richmond Cemetery.

The family suggests memorial contributions to Richmond United Methodist Church, PO Box 203, Richmond, KS 66080 or Alzheimer’s Association, 225 N Michigan Ave. Floor 17, Chicago, IL 60601 or Elara Caring Hospice, 901 NE River Road, Topeka, KS 66616