Martha Joan Burge

On Saturday, April 26th, 2025 all of heaven rejoiced as Martha Joan Goodman Burge left her earthly home in Bartlesville, Oklahoma and was welcomed into eternity by the loving arms of her Savior Jesus Christ.

Joan took her first breath on this earth in Campbell, Missouri, where she grew into a young woman, and met her husband, Terry E. Burge. The two seventeen-year-old high-school sweethearts eloped to nearby Pocahontas, Arkansas and began an adventure that would last over 56 years, across Missouri, Michigan and Oklahoma.

Joan earned her Bachelor's degree from Arkansas State University. She began teaching while Terry attended medical school at the University of Missouri, teaching in elementary schools in Missouri and Michigan.

Born with true creativity, Joan shared her talents with the world in many ways. She was a gifted artist, expressing herself through drawing, painting and decorating. Joan was a writer and author possessing a brilliant way with words. Singing was a passion for Joan whose lovely tenor voice carried through the air with perfect pitch. She was a lifetime member of Sweet Adelines, and enjoyed singing in special community events in Bartlesville, and at Redeemer Lutheran Church, where she was a member.

Joan was a lifelong equestrian who adored raising and showing Tennessee Walking Horses. Joan’s greatest love was her family who never experienced a day without her tender care, concern and grace. She was a prayer warrior who faithfully prayed for all she loved.

While our hearts ache over Joan’s absence on earth, our spirits are soothed with the knowledge of her presence in heaven, and her reunion with all those she loved, including her parents Elmer and Pansy Goodman, her sister Betty Ruth McDowell, and the love of her life, her husband Terry.

This world will always know Joan’s influence, for she lives on through each one of her children, David M. Burge and wife Dian, Gretchen Snider and husband Stanley, and Sarah Leslie Burge; also through her grandchildren Micah Burge, Adele Burge, Maria Snider, Laura Snider, Susannah Gagan and Dorothy Gagan.

A graveside service will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, May 2, 2025, at Nowata Memorial Park Cemetery, the Rev. Mr. David M. Burge officiating. After the service, Pastor Jolie Blankenship, Full Gospel Christian Center, will speak additional words of comfort.

Flowers may be sent to Benjamin Funeral Service, Nowata, Oklahoma. Donations may be made in Joan’s name to Gideons International at Gideons.org, to help share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with others. Online condolences may be made at www.honoringmemoriesnowata.com. Arrangements are in the care of Benjamin Funeral Service of Nowata.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Martha Joan Burge, please visit our flower store.