Martha Secrease

JONESBORO - Mrs. Martha Broadaway Hannah Secrease, of Jonesboro, departed this life on Monday, May 19, 2025, at the age of 99 and is resting peacefully with her Lord. She was born on Nov. 1, 1925, the daughter of W.E. and Loda Watkins Broadaway.

Martha was a 1943 graduate of Jonesboro High School. She spent her life in Jonesboro, where she married, and raised her children, worked, and served her Lord. Her life was one of faith, family, and service. She was a dedicated wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend.

Martha joined Walnut Street Baptist Church at the age of 13 and served in many capacities for 40 years. She then joined First Baptist Church and served for 36 years. Her passion for Christ was missions, both local and foreign. Working in Women's Missionary Union and Girls' Auxiliary. She also served as a Sunday School teacher for high school girls.

Her service for her beloved Jonesboro was working for the Mt. Zion Baptist Associates and working as Executive Secretary of the United Way of Northeast Arkansas for 25 years.

Marth was preceded in death by her first husband and father of her children, Roy F. Hannah, and her second husband, Roy Secrease; parents, W.E. and Loda Watkins Broadaway; three brothers, Beely, Junior, and Stanley Broadaway; and sister, Alma Broadaway Birch.

She is survived by her children, Ron (Joanie) Hannah and Sharman (Guy) Bell of Jonesboro; two grandchildren, Aaron (Lauren) Hannah and Kelly (Matt) Hogan; five great grandchildren, Cole Hannah, Wyatt Hannah, Charli Hannah, Meadow Hogan, and Finley Hogan all of Jonesboro; and a host of family and friends.

Visitation will be Thursday, May 22, 2025, at Emerson Funeral Home from 1-2 pm, followed by the funeral service at 2 pm. Officiating the service will be Dr. Rodney Reeves and Mr. Ross Burton. Burial will follow the funeral service at McDaniel Cemetery. Family will serve as pallbearers. Friends and family are welcomed. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to First Baptist Church mission fund or The United Way of Northeast Arkansas.

To sign an online guestbook, go to www. emersonfuneralhome.com