Gifts from Martha Shanks support her local church, Conference Ministries

Mardell McClurkin (left) and her close friend, Martha Shanks.

Photo provided by UMFA

By Jessica Szenher UMFA Contributor

Originally from Arkansas, the late Martha Bell Shanks worked for 25 years with the U.S. Geological Survey in cities all over the world. After retirement, she moved to Russellville where she cared for her mother. There she met the late Rev. Herschel McClurkin and his wife, Mardell.

“Herschel was preaching at Wesley UMC, and Martha came to hear him,” Mardell recalled. “She wanted to help the church and was very generous with her time and finances.”

Martha became close to the McClurkin children and grandchildren since she had no children of her own. An animal lover, she had a yard full of bird feeders and always had a dog. After her mother’s death, she moved to Colorado where the McClurkins visited her. Later in life, she decided to come back to Little Rock. Martha was a volunteer for churches and libraries and was a member of Highland Valley UMC.

She became a trust client of the United Methodist Foundation, and the Foundation staff helped care for her during the last few years of her life. She passed away in December of 2011 at the age of 95. At her death, Martha left a portion of her estate to Highland Valley UMC and more than $40,000 to the UMFA permanent endowment account used to make grants that enhance church ministries throughout the Conference.

“She was a wonderful person,” Mardell said. “She was most generous to everyone, always having extra bedrooms and lots of visitors.”