Lisa Marie Martin
Lisa Marie Martin, 51, passed peacefully on May 8, 2023 from complications with her heart. Lisa was born on February 13, 1972 in Flagstaff, Arizona to proud parents Jerry and Candy Pitts.
Lisa was raised and lived her entire life in southeast Kansas. During her adolescence, Lisa attended schools at Northeast in Arma, KS. She was a graduate of Northeast in 1990 and went on to Pittsburg State University, obtaining a degree in education. On June 14, 1996 Lisa married Bobby Martin in a ceremony on the PSU campus. Additionally, in 1996 Lisa started her first career job at Liberal Middle School teaching English. Lisa and Bobby bought their first home in Arma, residing there until they purchased land and built a home on acreage near Mulberry, KS in 2017.
Lisa spent 27 years enthralled in her passion for helping others. She was known as a stern but fair teacher, and her room became known as a safe, cool hangout spot. She was known for her 80s music, generosity of giving, and open ear for the challenges facing today's youth. During her 27-year career at Liberal, the impact she had on students has resonated throughout the community. Many speak of her with one common statement, "she was one of the good ones". Mamma Martin, as some students have affectionately referred to her, was always there for her students. She took pride in supplying candies, chips, and other goodies whenever students would stop in. A true testament of her influence can be seen through the eyes of those she impacted.
Lisa's generosity did not stop with education. She liked nothing more than baking and providing a small slice of the desserts that she would donate to meals being provided in the community to those in need.
During her adult years, Lisa was an active member of the National Educators Association (NEA). She spent many years as a class sponsor. She was involved in student council, assisting with dances held at Liberal. Outside of school, Lisa spent time as a volunteer on the Arma Homecoming Committee.
Lisa stayed active by spending time with her husband and enjoying their common interests. Her hobbies included camping, specifically with their travel trailer at Farlington Lake. This was her happy place, swimming, grilling, and enjoying the time with family. She even spent two summers as a camp host. She and Bobby have a deep love for dogs and have developed heavily rooted relationships with their fur babies throughout life, including three she left behind. Another hobby over the past several years has been raising chickens. She loved those chickens dearly. She also loved nothing more than time with family enjoying pinochle and banter. As life evolved, pinochle started as a game played with her parents and grandparents, and in later stages in life, a passion she shared with friends, nieces, and nephews. She was happiest preparing a home-cooked meal and battling a few rounds of pinochle while waiting on
dessert. Lisa enjoyed hosting holiday parties and preparing meals to serve our entire extended family, and this allowed her to stay connected with those she loved. Her specialty was Christmas dinners at the community centers and huge 4th of July parties. The 4th of July would start with a bash at Farlington to celebrate July 2nd and continue culminating with a party on the 4th.
Lisa is survived of the home by her husband Bobby. Additional survivors are her brother, Jerry Pitts, and wife, Bobbie; two nephews, Austin and Tanner Pitts; and one niece, Baylie Pitts.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Jerry and Candy Pitts.
Mrs. Martin has been cremated according to her wishes. Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, May 11, 2023 at the Bedene Funeral Home in Arma, Kansas. Tim Ketchum will give the eulogy. The family will receive friends from 10 to 11 a.m. Thursday prior to the memorial services at the Bedene Chapel. Burial of the cremains will be at a later date at the Pittsburg Garden of Memories Cemetery. The family suggests, in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to the Liberal Schools for school supplies. Donations may be sent to or left at the Bedene Funeral Home, 517 E. Washington, Box 621, Arma, Kansas 66712.
