Martha Jean "Worley" Harrelson

Martha Jean Harrelson (Worley) of Wichita Falls, TX, passed away February 2, 2026, in hospice care from metastatic breast cancer, she was 86 years old.

Visitation will be Friday at Lunn's Colonial Funeral home from 6-7 pm on February 6th and the Funeral Services will be held Saturday, February 7th at 10:00 a.m. at Faith Village Church of Christ with Chris Swinford officiating.

Martha Jean was born in Crosbyton, Texas, September 6, 1939, to William Holmes Worley and Lucille Imogene Milam. When she was 4 years old, her father enlisted in the army in 1944, and fought in the Battle of the Bulge that December. He returned home when Martha Jean was 6 years old, and they moved to Archer City, where she started first grade. She graduated from Archer City High School in 1958, and married her childhood sweetheart, Curtis Harrelson, on May 1, 1959.

Since Curtis enlisted in the army, they transferred to Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama and Jean's two boys were born while there: David and Dennis. After Curtis finished his service in the Army, he returned to Wichita Falls as part of the police department in 1962. Her daughter, Dana, was born April 10, 1964, and Jean settled down as a wife of a police officer, a homemaker and mother. Her husband became Chief of Police in Wichita Falls in 1977 and retired in 1997.

Martha Jean was a believer in Christ and she put her trust in him. That is why we have hope and peace and celebrate victory over death. She was a faithful member of the Faith Village Church of Christ and became interested in the Deaf Ministry in March 1976. This began her lifelong love of working with the deaf. She not only interpreted for the deaf at Church but also worked as an interpreter for the deaf in the WFISD at Cunningham Elementary and also Rider High School. She had a special TTY phone installed at the house so she could communicate with the deaf. Her deaf community loved her very much; they continued to keep in contact with her, even after her retirement.

She was also involved with special programs at Faith Village; Sunshine House, Ladies Bible Class, Team Sew and of course attended every time the doors were opened. Her husband Curtis passed away in 2009; they were married for almost 50 years. Afterwards she made several special friends who adopted her as a sister, notably Joan Henson, and many members from Faith Village who looked after her. A special thank you to Hospice of Wichita Falls for their personal care and loving support. They were awesome! She loved camping with her family and friends, especially at Lake Altus; and Jean could make a great meal in a dutch oven.

She is preceded in death by her parents, William and Lucille Worley, Brother, William Clyde Worley, and daughter-in-law Sue Harrelson.

She is survived by her son David and wife Beth Harrelson of Las Cruces, NM, son Dennis Harrelson of Lewisville TX, daughter Dana Wilson and husband Randal Wilson of Henrietta, Sister-in-law Beverly Worley and sons Lance and Sean Worley, TX, brother-in-law Don and wife Donna Harrelson from Burkburnett, TX, sister-in-law Carolyn and husband Sammie Askins of Lakeside City, 7 grandchildren, whom she shared many special memories and games and late night snacks; Jerod Harrelson and Eve DeForest of Austin, TX, Josh and Katina Harrelson of Albuquerque, Caleb and Kendra Harrelson of Clint, TX, Casey Harrelson of Fort Worth, Kari Harrelson and George Schmith of Wichita Falls, TX, Stephen and Desiree Wilson of Henrietta, and Daniel Wilson of Wichita Falls TX, and 10 great grandchildren whom loved spending Christmas at her home: Jenya, Mia, Katya, Mathias, Anya, Joseph, Niko, Maesen, Eliana, Amelia (who actually lived with her for three months and did puzzles with her), and of course, the 9th one due in May, whom she longed to live to see. There are also many nephews, nieces, cousins, and countless friends who will all miss a woman who impacted their life for the love of Christ. We love you and miss you!