Martha was born in Freeport, Texas on June 26, 1928. She left Freeport to pursue a future in the cosmetic industry during World War II. She maintained an office and residence in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. Martha met her husband Jules Landry, and was married August 30, 1946. After the war, Jules closed his French restaurant in Hattiesburg and moved to New Orleans, Louisiana. He and his brother Robert, who was a CPA, opened a French restaurant in the Vieux Carre'. Their daughter Karen was born in New Orleans on August 5, 1948. Martha missed her family in Texas and now that a granddaughter was to become part of the family, she wanted to return to Texas. Martha was employed with General Security Life Insurance Company as manager of the policy insure department; she became Secretary to "Senator Bill Moore" at his law office in Bryan, Texas. She worked about six (6) months for him and soon realized she did not like the "Politics" her duties required and resigned. She immediately secured a position as administrative secretary to a department head at Texas A&M University. Martha worked for ten (10) years for Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company as administrative secretary to the top producer in the Atlanta Office.
Martha remained in Atlanta until 1975 when she resigned from Mass Mutual to move to Las Vegas, Nevada to be with her daughter and to help get her (Martha) asthma under control. She secured employment at the Sahara Hotel as the comptroller's secretary- along with secretarial duties; Martha typed "Profit and Loss Statements" and assisted in getting the checks ready for the entertainment "Stars" appearing at the hotel show room. There were many stars such as Johnny Carson, Tony Bennett, Jerry Lewis and many more. Martha realized after one year, the smoke from the casino was not good for her lungs. Luck then knocked on her door when the pastor of her church was losing his secretary. His office contacted Martha and asked if she would be interested in an interview for the position- she had never worked in a church but felt the Lord would help her do his work. It was a rewarding position and gave her an opportunity to know the church members and make new friends. Martha became close friends with the pastor, his wife and family and shared many dinners in their home. Until today she still receives a Christmas letter and news of the family. Martha left Nevada and returned to Lake Jackson in 1985 to be with her mother who was in her 80's. Martha had always worked and would be looking for a job. Luck knocked on her door again. Her brother Johnnie Redden informed her that the pastor of his church, the First Baptist Church was losing his secretary and he would be looking for a replacement. Dr. John Hatch liked Martha's resume and the fact that she had previously worked as a church secretary. She became his new secretary and fit in nicely with the rest of the staff.
Martha's daughter had settled in Orlando, Florida and bought a large home that would allow her mother a private suite. Martha settled in Orlando in 1987 and loved the city for its beautiful trees and flowers. She remained there until 2012 when she moved with her family to Daytona Beach, Florida. Martha remained a member of the First Baptist Church, Lake Jackson, Texas as she felt the church was her home. After her health started failing she didn't attend church in person but enjoyed church services on T.V. Martha loved living in Daytona Beach and decided not to return to Texas to be buried with her mother, dad and other family members, but to stay in Daytona Beach for her final resting place.
She is survived by her daughter, Karen Landry Pittillo and son-in-law Bob Pittillo, of Daytona Beach, her brother, Johnnie Redden, of Lake Jackson, step-daughter, Julie Bouy, of New Orleans, and a granddaughter, Jeaneen, a great-granddaughter, Ashton, two great-grandsons, Brennon and Benjjamin, as well as two great-great grandchildren, Aslyn and Jackson all of Defuniak Springs, Florida. Funeral services will be held on Friday, January 13th at 12:00 pm at Lohman Funeral Home; 733 W. Granada Blvd. Ormond Beach, the family will receive friends one hour prior too. Interment will follow at Daytona Memorial Park. Arrangements are under the care of Lohman Funeral Home Ormond. Condolences for the family may be shared at www.lohmanfuneralhomes.com