Madge Mae Bartch, 89, eldest child of Howard A. and Pearl Johnson Bartch, was born April 26, 1917. She died March 20, 2007, at her home in Houston.
As a young woman, she worked at Ozark Walnut in the production. After the factory closed, she was employed at Brown Shoe Co. until her retirement.
She was baptized and joined the Ozark Baptist Church July 3, 1938, the same day as her friend, Opal Castleman. They had the distinction of being the longest continuous members of the church. She was the oldest member and served as treasurer for 34 of her 68 years of membership.
She was a member of the Rebekahs and Odd Fellows, serving as secretary of the Rebekahs for a number of years.
She was an ardent St. Louis Cardinals fan, watching games with her poodle, Lucky, who was her companion for 18 years.
Surviving are nieces, Vicky Keel of Lynn Haven, Fla., and Nina Dean of Spearwood, Western Australia and their families; several cousins she kept in round-robin correspondence; and her caregivers, Loretta May and Linda Stroup; and friend, Bill Beasley.
Services were March 24 at the Ozark Baptist Church with the Rev. Brad Wallace and the Rev. Wesley Wallace officiating. Burial was in the Ozark Cemetery under the direction of Evans Funeral Home.
Memorials may be made to Ozark Cemetery Association.
