Martha Sue Hortman, 73, of Minden went home to be with her late husband, “Big Rod” on April 25, 2015 at her home after a lengthy illness. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m., April 28, 2015 at Pleasant Valley United Methodist Church located at 16835 Hwy 371 in Minden. Interment will follow at Pleasant Valley Cemetery. The Rev. Jim Kennedy will officiate. Visitation will be from 5 until 7:30 p.m., Monday, April 27, 2015 at Rose-Neath Funeral Home in Minden for family and friends.
Martha was born on July 11, 1941 to William Earl Tyre and Mattie Sue Tyre Martin in Texas City, Texas.
She attended a business school in Texas where she learned to type and use a 10-key.
Martha was then a bank teller for the Federal Reserve in Houston in the early 1960s where she recalled being there the day that President JFK was assassinated in 1963 in Dallas. She also worked at the Federal Bank of Shreveport. In the early 1980s, Martha begin working in a flower shop in Dixie Inn where she met her husband of 29 years, James Rodney “Big Rod.” The couple married in 1983 at Pleasant Valley Church. Over the next several years, the husband and wife duo had several flower shops and liquor stores in Dixie Inn. In between those times, the couple found the time to care for their grandson, Matthew and they later legally adopted him as their son.
Martha is survived by her adopted son, Matthew Hortman and wife Samantha of St. Augustine, Florida; step-daughter, Rhonda Hortman Connor of Shreveport; step-son James Rodney Jr. of Minden; grandchildren, Michael Connor and Kaitlyn Connor Jeansonne and husband Jeremey, and Kim Hortman; great-grandchildren, Ellie Grace and Brooklyn Jeansonne, McKenzie Hortman; sister, Patricia Dykes and husband Leroy of Cotton Valley; and brother, William “Bill” Tyre of San Jose, California/Cotton Valley; and many nieces and nephews.
Martha was preceded in death by both of her parents, husband, James Rodney “Big Rod”; and sister Linda Childress.
Honoring the life of Mrs. Hortman will be Matthew Hortman, Charles Hortman, Michael Connor, Billy Dykes, Phillip Isherwood and Kerry Phillips.
Honorary pallbearer will be George Hortman.
The family would like to thank Dr. Hines and his staff for the many years of loving care.