Martha Ruth Arden

Celebration of Life services will be held for Martha Ruth Arden on Monday, August 25, 2025, in the chapel of Rader Funeral Home, Longview, Texas. Visitation will be held prior to the service at 10:00 am with the service to follow at 11:00 am. Burial will follow at Rosewood Park Cemetery. Martha was born on August 9, 1935, in Gilmer, Texas to Freddie Fielden and Virgie Burnett. She passed away peacefully at her home on August 20, 2025, at the age of 90, in Longview, Texas. She was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, Thomas "Tommy" Arden, her parents, sisters, Maxine Ketner, Leta Nell Fielden, Wanda Ashmore, Sara Arden, and Patricia Ellison Parker. Those left to cherish her memory are her daughter, Kathy Jackson and husband John, son, Steve Arden and wife Deadre; grandchildren, Heather Jones, Kristal Childs and husband Doug, Austin Arden and wife Sarah Ruth, and Wesley Jackson; great-grandchildren, Lane Davenport and fiancé Rebekah Larson, Mason Davenport, Clayton Carroll, Arden Rose Childs, Sybil Faye Childs, and Jane Carol Arden; great-great-granddaughter, Evie Ann Davenport; sister, Joyce Hare, brother, J.E. Fielden; brothers-in-law, Bobby (Sara) Arden, Larry Arden and wife Mary; sister-in-law, Dorothy (Billy) Arden; and many other loved ones. Mom gave her life to Christ at the age of 12 at Laird Hill Baptist Church. She was drawn to mission work as a young girl and that passion was lived throughout her life. She was active in women's ministry and enjoyed working to help achieve ministry goals through mission offerings, specifically Lottie Moon. On June 24, 1954, Martha married the love of her life, Tommy. You rarely saw one without the other. While raising their children, they built and ran a successful automotive repair business for over 32 years. Even before retiring, if they weren't singing in the choir at church or serving the Lord in some way, Mom and Dad spent their time traveling, camping and, of course, fishing! After retirement, she served with Tommy through mission work for the next 36 years. Traveling throughout the United States, their service took them to churches and camps in Alaska, Texas, South Dakota, and Wisconsin where she supported her husband and used her gift making quilts and helping around the camps with everyday tasks. If she wasn't watching the Texas Rangers play baseball and keeping stats in her notebook, you might find her quilting. Over the course of her life, she would lovingly hand stitch full size quilts, baby quilts and later in life, doll quilts. We don't know the number of people who have been blessed with one of Nana's hand quilted treasures, for it is many. Mom was a simple woman, who valued the important things in life: her faith and her family. The love she gave all of us throughout her life will carry us throughout the rest of ours. She will be missed by many. There is a void in our family, but it is filled with priceless memories of a woman who passionately loved the Lord and her family. We rejoice in knowing she is in the presence of her savior, Jesus Christ, and has been reunited with her beloved Tommy. We would like to thank Prime Care Hospice for lovingly caring for Mom in her final months. We will forever remember the kindness and compassion you showed her. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Harleton Baptist Church or Lakeview Baptist Church.