Freda J. (Martin) Hite

Freda Jane (Martin) Hite passed away in Lawson, Mo on Sunday, April 19, 2020. Freda was born April 2, 1931 to Raymond and Marie (Eastman) Martin at the family farm in Hoosier, Kansas. She loved horses and she assisted her mother in caring for her siblings, as well as helping her father around the farm. She graduated in 1949 from Cedar Vale High School and was a part of the girls’ basketball team where she earned a varsity letter for two years participation. After graduation, she moved to Arkansas City and shared an apartment with her oldest brother Ray. He attended high school and she worked at the flour mill. She was baptized at Hicks Chapel in 1951. Early in 1953 she met Kenneth Hite, a young USAF airman from Kingsport, TN and he became the love of her life at a dance hall in Newkirk, OK. They married at the Martin family farmhouse on September 5, 1953.   They were stationed all around the United States and England. Freda worked for over 20 years at Army Air Force Exchange stores at the bases where they were stationed.

 
After her husband’s retirement, they traveled the country in their motor home. They were married 65 years before her husband’s passing in 2019. She was an extremely talented crocheter of all things that could ever be made from yarn. Freda is preceded in death by her parents, husband Kenneth Hite, one grandson Steven Gray and by her 5 siblings: William Ray Martin, Haskel Dewitt Martin, Cleota Marie Sherwood, Guy Bert Martin and Bruce Martin. Surviving is her son Barney and Sheryl Hite of Lawson, MO along with daughter Brenda and Steve Gray of Bryce City, NC, 6 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren. In honor to the family and current social distancing restrictions, a drive by visitation and viewing service will be held on Thursday, April 23rd at Shelley Family Funeral Service of Arkansas City from 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. Private Graveside Services will be held at Maple City, KS Cemetery on Friday, April 24th.    In lieu of flowers the family request donations be made to the Women’s Auxiliary with the American Legion or VFW locally. Contributions may be made through Shelley Family Funeral Home. 

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