Martha June Sides

Continuing a journey that began more than 80 years ago, Martha June Sides joined her Lord and Savior eternally in heaven on March 7, 2014. Martha was born September 10, 1927 in Cisco, Texas and moved to Sweetwater as a young child. Being the youngest of five children, she was always considered the spoiled child by her brothers and sisters, but learned early on how to hold her own—a trait she proudly exhibited whenever possible throughout her life. As a teenager she played accordion and competed in contests. She also played the trumpet in the Sweetwater High School band, primarily because that is where the boys were.Martha continued her love of music at Texas Tech by playing trumpet in the marching band. She was the first in her family to go to college and majored in Business. While attending First Christian Church in Lubbock she met a skinny kid from Odessa named Jerry Sides, and the two fell in love and were married two years later in 1948. Jerry finished his senior year in 1949 and they moved to Midland where Jerry began his work with The Superior Oil Company. They were soon busy raising 4 children, and Martha spent many nights and weekends looking after the kids while Jerry was in the field well sitting. They were both active in the Lee High Band Boosters, PTA, and Martha particularly enjoyed being a scorekeeper during their Little League days. She also enjoyed many years working with the Girl and Boy Scout programs.After the last of their children entered elementary school, Martha began working at the Midland High School cafeteria collecting lunch money. She then took courses at Midland College, Odessa College and Sul Ross University to become a Teacher’s aide in Remedial Reading. Martha worked for 23 years at Travis Elementary with long time friends Skippy Malone and Leann Brenner. After retiring from MISD she stayed busy volunteering with Meals on Wheels and the Midland Memorial Hospital Auxiliary. She spent a lot of time teaching her grandchildren how to play cards and games, and she was a chef extraordinaire of mud pies in the back yard.Besides her long-time love of square dancing, Martha and Jerry began vacationing at the YMCA of the Rockies in Estes Park, Colorado in 1961. That special mountain setting stole their hearts right away and they continued to vacation there annually with family and friends for 50 consecutive years. The entire family celebrated the 50th anniversary by spending a week together in Colorado in 2011, and that tradition continues on.Martha and Jerry were charter members of Memorial Christian Church founded in 1954, and have been involved in every aspect of leadership. Martha served faithfully as a Sunday School teacher, Deacon, member of Christian Womens Fellowship, and she sang in the choir for many years. Her legacy of love, care and education in the love of Jesus Christ continues to live on in the lives of many.Family celebrating her life include her husband of 65 years, Jerry, daughter Kay Clemmer and husband Greg of Conroe, son John Sides and wife Martha of Houston, daughter Jill Groves and husband Gregg of Midland and son Steve Sides and wife Julie of Cedar Park. Martha’s grandchildren and great-grandchildren include April Jones and husband Heath and their children Preston and Allison of Conroe, Casey Clemmer and his wife Rebecca and their sons Lucas and Liam of Houston, Matt Sides and his wife Heather and their children Hannah and Grant of Houston, Corrie Nickel and her husband Jon and their children David and Emily of Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada, Jennie Jenkins and her husband David and their children Landon, Wyatt and Grady of Houston, Kyle Groves and his wife Whitney and their children Andrew and Brandon of Midland, Brian Groves and his wife Lacy and their daughter Aubrey of San Angelo, Chris Sides of Midland, Stephanie Sides of Cedar Park, Laurie Sides of Cedar Park, Alex Noel and her husband Daniel of Cedar Park, Austin Sides of San Saba, Makayla Sides of Cedar Park.Martha was preceded in death by her parents, Edgar & Minnie Ford; brothers E. C. and Arnold Ford; sisters Noble Shaw and Joyce Neal.A Celebration of Life service for Martha will be held on Saturday, March 15, 2014 at 1:00 p.m. at Memorial Christian Church, 1001 Andrews Highway, with Rev. Terry Rothermich, officiating.In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to Hospice of Midland, 911 W. Texas, Midland, TX 79701; Memorial Christian Church, or Manor Park, 2208 N. Loop 250 W., Midland, TX 79707.,