Martha Lou Harper

Martha Lou Harper, age 89, passed away on January 22, 2019

Martha was born October 28, 1929 in Beggs, Oklahoma to the late Lannie Raymond Ruddick and Osha Edna Pinkston. She was also preceded in death by husbands Robert Carl Gross and Ira Lee Harper, son, Steven Carl Gross, and sisters Loreta Hilliard and Norma Jean Biscarro.

Martha graduated from Santa Maria High School and soon after, married and started a family. In the early 1950’s the family moved to Santa Barbara, California. In addition to raising a family of four, she was an employee of Santa Barbara City Schools. She worked as a teacher’s aide at Harding Elementary School and also worked in the audio/visual department at La Cumbre Junior High School.

Martha was a devoted wife, mother, sister, and aunt. She had a strong love for family, friends, and home. She was an excellent cook and she delighted in preparing meals for her family, especially during the holidays.

Martha is survived by two daughters, Kathy Gross Jones of Raleigh North Carolina and Brenda Gross Jehle of Ojai, California, son, Bill Gross of Ventura, California, four granddaughters, and two great-granddaughters.

A Celebration of Life service will be held on Tuesday, January 29 at 10:00 am at Emanuel Lutheran Church, 3721 Modoc Road, Santa Barbara, California. A graveside service will follow at 2:30 pm at the Santa Maria Cemetery, 1501 S. College Drive, Santa Maria, California.

Special thanks to Valle Verde for the excellent care they have provided to Martha over the past few years. Also, thanks and appreciation to Assisted Hospice Care for the wonderful support and care they provided to Martha.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America.