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Nadia Valeria (Parks) Martin
May 16, 1930 - Feb 26, 2026
Posted by Jo Aguirre

© Cheyenne Star

Nadia Valeria Parks was born to Philip Henry and Pearlie Lee Parks on May 16, 1930, at the family farm northwest of Reydon, OK, and was named by her 14‑year‑old sister, Johnnie Belle, who used “Nada” as the pronunciation.


She was the ninth of 10 siblings and died at her home in Reydon on February 26, 2026, at the age of 95 years, 9 months, and 10 days. Nadia attended Midway School, located 4 1/2 miles north of Reydon, through eighth grade, then Reydon High School. She was in many school plays and loved dressing up in costumes made by her mother, Pearlie, and oldest sister, Velva. As she grew up, Nadia developed a desire to play the piano, but didn’t have one at home. Her brother, Lee, sent the money to purchase one for $40 from a neighbor, and they picked it up in the family’s mule‑drawn wagon. She learned to play by ear and for years enjoyed playing in church and for entertainment for meetings and in nursing homes. She always played piano at home for enjoyment, even through recent months.

After beginning high school at Reydon, she met Gerald Lloyd Martin and fell in love, always claiming he was the best‑looking guy she’d ever seen. Gerald and Nadia married November 30, 1947, at the Parks family farm and established their first home above the café in Cheyenne. Soon after, they moved to Clinton to start their family. However, Clinton didn’t have a hospital, so their daughter, Cheryl, was born in Elk City. Gerald had learned the meat‑cutting trade and got a job in Borger, TX, at McCartts Grocery as a butcher. During their years in Borger, they welcomed the addition of their three sons.


In 1957, Gerald had another job opportunity, so they moved with their four children to Plainview, TX, where he worked with Safeway and Nadia was a homemaker. The family remained in Plainview for many years, establishing a meat market and deli called Home Town Market, where they had a good business feeding people homemade food. After a number of years, they closed the store and retired “back home” to Reydon. Gerald was elected mayor in Reydon and worked hard getting grants to improve the trash truck and Senior Citizens Building, among other things. Nadia served on the water board in 1997. They also served as substitutes at the Reydon School for several years and enjoyed getting to know the students and teachers.


Nadia always had a love and appreciation for dolls, just like her mother, Pearlie. She joined Plainview’s doll club, “The Dollers,” and also traveled to Madame Alexander conventions with Gerald. They bought a Model A and joined the car club in Plainview, enjoying many adventures with good friends who shared their love of the old cars and a sense of adventure.


Nadia is survived by three of her children and their families:

Cheryl and Ray Murphree of Hempstead, TX — daughter Marsha and Boe Burrus of Waller, TX, and children Brody T. Burrus and fiancée Allie McCrady of Columbia, TN, Hannah and Patrick Mills of Tampa, FL; son Jason and Paige Murphree of Blanco, TX, and children Macy Murphree of San Antonio, TX, and Colby Murphree of College Station, TX.

Dennis and Janice Martin of Reydon, OK — son Patrick and Brandy Martin of Nacogdoches, TX, and children Samual and Melody Langford, expecting baby girl; Jacob and Madison Martin, Brynlee and Charlotte; David and Zavala Langford and son David Alexander, all of Nacogdoches, TX; and son Joshua Martin and his daughter Whitley of Cushing, TX.

Kenneth and Ginger Martin of Hewitt, TX — son Justin and Brandi Martin, Jackson and Mabry Dawn of Schertz, TX, and daughter Randie Marie Martin and Pierson of Waco, TX.

She is also survived by a host of nieces and nephews and their families and friends.


Nadia was preceded in death by her parents, her beloved husband Gerald Lloyd Martin, her son Randall Craig Martin and his wife Brenda Martin. Also preceding her in death were her two sisters and seven brothers: Velva Ree Parks Postlewait, Dillion L. Parks, Elzy G. Parks, Johnnie Belle Parks Carpenter, William T. Parks, James Alden Parks, Henry Lee Parks, Edsel Byron Parks, and Ethan Dwayne “Dick” Parks, and their spouses and other family members.


Memorial donations may be sent to the First Baptist Church, PO Box 116, Reydon, OK 73660, or The Dempsey Cemetery Fund, PO Box 64, Cheyenne, OK 73628.


Graveside services for Nadia Martin, 95, will take place at 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 3 at the Dempsey Cemetery, located southwest of Cheyenne, OK. Services are under the direction of Whinery Funeral Service & Cremation Center, 403 West Country Club, Elk City, OK.

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