Johnnie Aylene Martin

As we say goodbye to our sweet mother, we can only imagine the reunion that’s taking place as she meets her Lord. The joy she must be feeling as Daddy greets her and she hugs her grandson, and gets to rock her precious great grandsons that she has never met! Johnnie Aylene Peyton Martin was born Sept 19, 1927, in Iowa Park, TX, to Virgil & Myrtle Walker Peyton and passed away on March 16 in Oklahoma City. Her younger years required a lot of moving around the country because of her father’s job with an oil company. Johnnie spent her high school years at Milby High School in Houston, TX, where she was a Coed Cadet and a twirler. After high school, Johnnie moved to Pauls Valley, OK, to be close to her grandparents. She got a job at Crabtree’s Drug Store, where she met the love of her life, Bill Martin, whose family owned a farm south of town. Bill had lots of excuses to come to town to see her. Their first date was Easter Sunday, 1945, and they were married on October 5, 1945. Their wedding was at his parents’ home and their honeymoon was a day at an OU football game! Johnnie & Bill had two daughters. Carol was born in 1947 and Susan in 1951. Johnnie loved children. She was a brownie leader before either child was old enough to be a brownie! She would catch a bus to downtown Pauls Valley with a very young Carol in tow, and then walk to Jefferson school to meet with her troop! In 1952, during a long drought, Johnnie went back to work as a dental assistant in Pauls Valley, while driving to OKC to study for her dental nurse accreditation, graduating at the top of her class. She later became an account supervisor at Wacker’s Home Office where she worked for 20 years. Her computer took up an entire room! When Wacker’s sold, she went to work for Humphrey Insurance where she worked until her retirement. Johnnie and Bill were very active in the First Methodist Church in Pauls Valley. She was MYF sponsor, President of United Methodist Women, district officer and Conference representative. As a volunteer in Mission, she traveled to Israel twice. She was a life member of the Historical Society, Eastern Star Worthy Matron and Mother Advisor for Rainbow Girls. Johnnie was very active in the Red Cross, working the OKC bombing and the Missouri Floods. After Bill’s death and several back surgeries, Johnnie had to leave the farm that she loved and moved to Epworth Villa in OKC. There she met many new friends that she loved. She continued to be very active as a floor leader and a bridge and domino player! She joined Quail Springs United Methodist Church and was active in Stephen Ministry. Johnnie was an avid Oklahoma State fan. If you wanted to talk to her, it was best not to call during an OSU sporting event or while she was watching General Hospital! Johnnie is survived by Daughters; Carol Burnett (Bill) & Susan Muehleisen (Dick); Granddaughter, Katie Burnett; Grandsons, Ryan Burnett (Tina) & Matt Muehleisen (Windy); Great grandchildren; Tyler Wedding (Halle), Mason Burnett & Riley, Reagan, Sydney & Campbell Muehleisen; and nephews Mike & David (Kody) Martin and Bill (Gen) Long. She is predeceased by her parents; brother, Virgil Peyton Jr.; sister, Wanda Jo Peyton; husband, Bill Martin; grandson, Greg Muehleisen, and great grandsons, Cooper & Brayden Muehleisen. The family would like to thank the nurses on 8 East at Integris Hospital and the incredible staff at Integris Hospice House. They were truly an answer to prayer. The services for Johnnie will take place at 2:00 pm on Friday, March 24, at the First Methodist Church, 401 N. Willow, Pauls Valley, OK. Visitation will be from 9-4, Wednesday and Thursday, March 22 & 23 at Wooster Funeral Home, 1601 S. Chickasaw St. in Pauls Valley. In lieu of flowers, the family would like to request donations to First United Methodist Church @ 401 N. Willow St., Pauls Valley, Ok. 73075, Epworth Benevolent Fund @ 14901 N. Penn. OKC, OK 73134 or Integris Hospice House @ 13920 Quailbrook Dr., OKC 73134.

Johnnie Aylene Martin

September 19, 1927 - March 16, 2023