Martha Rider, 79, passed away peacefully on March 18, 2024, at Covenant Hospital in Lubbock, Texas. She was born on April 7, 1944, to Semion Issac and Willie Estelle Freeman. She was the fifth of six children.
She loved to tell the many stories of her childhood to her children and grandchildren. She always made sure to include the times and the excitement of when her stepmom Momma Jonnie came along.
She always loved big, and you knew it. There was never any doubt. This is just who she was. Over the years she wore many hats, but none that she loved more than being the mom of her three kids and later being the grandma (Grumpy) as her grandchildren loving called her per her request. Her next love would be the help and love she provided to her patients at Kent County Nursing Home, where she worked as a CNA for many years.
She was proceeded in death by her husband, Larry Rider; her parents; two brothers, John Tom Freeman and Bill Freeman; and one sister, Mary Mayo.
Those left behind to cherish her memory are her three children, daughter Kristie and husband Thomas (Tuffy) Lee of Spur, Texas, daughter Jennifer Phillips of Mattoon, Illinois, and son Eric Phillips and wife Jessica of Midland, Texas; nine grandchildren; one great-grandson; a sister, Tami Driver; and countless nieces and nephews.
Memorial services were held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, March 23, 2024, at the Community Bible Chapel in Spur, Texas.
The family would like to thank the Kent County Nursing Home staff for the love and care shown to our special loved one.
