Martha Carol (Hollis) Gilstrap

Martha Carol (Hollis) Gilstrap, 75 of Phoenix, Arizona went home to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Tuesday, January 19, 2016. Martha Gilstrap was born September 25, 1940 in Neodesha, Kansas, but lived in Fredonia, Kansas for almost 45 years of her life. She was the daughter of Clifford and Mildred (Petersen) Hollis of Fredonia, Kansas. She was married to James (Jim) Walter Gilstrap for 29 years before his passing. Martha was preceded in death by both her parents and husband. Martha loved being a wife and mother, she was a gifted pianist, a wonderful artist who loved painting, she enjoyed attending church, women"s Bible studies, helping with the children"s VBS program and organizing a ladies bridge club. She was a volunteer with the Fredonia Arts Council and enjoyed teaching the summer arts program for several years. Martha and Jim enjoyed weekends at their cabin in Toronto Lake and spending time boating and water skiing with family and friends. Since moving to Arizona, she attended Scottsdale Bible Church. She became a born again believer in Jesus Christ in 2001. Martha grew up in Fredonia, Kansas and graduated from Fredonia High School class of 1958. After graduation, she attended Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kansas majoring in Art Education and was a member of the Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority. She later transferred to Pittsburg State University after being joined in marriage to Jim Gilstrap on June 18th, 1961. Martha and Jim Gilstrap were long time members of the First United Methodist Church in Fredonia, Kansas and were active in the community. They had a family owned business, Gilstrap Lumber Company for over 20 years. Martha is survived by her brother, Jim Hollis and his wife, Carol of Topeka, Kansas. She is also survived by her two children, Hollis Gilstrap of Gaithersburg, Maryland and Lori Gilstrap of Phoenix, Arizona, as well as one granddaughter, Alexandra Jaymes Kossett. Martha has one niece and three surviving nephews: Ann Gilstrap Grassmyer, Allen Gilstrap, Frank Baxter and Bryan Hollis. Jim and Martha moved to Texas and Georgia in the early 80"s and eventually lived Melbourne Beach, Florida from 1987-1990. After Jim"s death from lung cancer Martha stayed in Florida for ten more years and then moved to Arizona to be with Lori and Alexandra. She missed her husband, loved her children and had an extra special love for her only grandchild. Martha, Lori and Alexandra have lived together for the last 15 years, which was a wonderful blessing to each one of them. Even though Martha endured many health problems, she never once complained about her circumstances and was very thankful to be together with her family. In lieu of flowers, family is accepting donations for education fund for Martha"s granddaughter, Alexandra. This can be left at Timmons Funeral Home. There will be a memorial service in Fredonia, Kansas this summer with dates posted later in the Wilson County Citizen.