Martha Ellen Robertson Forgy, 88, of Springfield, died at her daughter’s home April 7, 2026 with her family by her side. She was born on August 20, 1937 at Burge Hospital in Springfield, MO to Joe Marvin Robertson and Alice Elizabeth Rosser Robertson. Her family lived in Marshfield, MO and moved to Lebanon, MO in 1946 when she was 9 years old. She graduated from Lebanon High School with the class of 1955. In high school, she was won a competition for best driver in a driving competition and was later a founding member of the Lebanon Garden Club

She married John “Jack” Francis Forgy on August 23, 1955 at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church by Father Joseph Brophy. In 1965 they moved their family to Springfield, MO and became active members of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. She was involved in many church groups and the choir over the years. She volunteered at Saint Vincent DePaul, the meal committee for funerals, and many other volunteer opportunities.

Martha was a stay-at-home mom raising five daughters and managing a household. She was a very talented seamstress, made most of her children’s clothes as they grew, and many clothes for herself. She also made a wedding dress, bridesmaid dresses, and many homecoming and prom dresses.

She was a great cook and baker and was talented at knitting, macrame, decoupage, ceramics, and did many home improvement projects. Martha was an avid gardener, loved feeding the birds and photographing them in her garden.

Martha and Jack loved the outdoors and spent many nights under the stars on Ozarks’ rivers. She took many trips to National Parks and popular birding spots. Her last float trip at the age of 80.

Martha did extensive genealogy research on her family. She and Jack took many trips throughout the country in search of family records.

After most of her children had left home, Martha worked at Great Southern Savings for a time and later at Westport Grade School.

She cherished her friendships with her high school friends (the TNT group), her IC friends, and her neighbors.

Martha is survived by her five daughters, Cathy Forgy of Nixa, MO, Linda Maddox of Springfield, Barbara Abernathey and husband Gary of Springfield, Nancy Woodfill and partner Sarah Gibson of Kansas City, MO, Pam West and husband Randy of Fremont Hills, MO, eight grandchildren, Travis Pritchett and wife Lacey of Crane, MO, John Maddox and wife Jessica of Clearwater, FL, Brian Maddox of Colorado Springs, CO, Christopher Maddox of Springfield, Elizabeth “Annie” WoodfilI of Kansas City, MO, Shane West and wife Allison of Fremont Hills, MO, Maggie West of St. Louis, MO, Joe West of Fremont Hills, MO, and seven great grandchildren, Makenzie, Skyler, and Brooklynn Pritchett, Michael and Addison “Addie” Maddox, Gracie and Jackson West, sister, Mary Jo Kleine of Kennesaw, Georgia, several cousins and many nieces and nephews.

Martha was preceded in death by her husband Jack, her parents, step-mother Elma Barron Robertson, and step-brother Aubrey Wendell Lamm Robertson.

Prayer service will be held in Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home, Brentwood Chapel, at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 16, 2026 followed by visitation until 7:30 pm. Graveside services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, April 17, 2026 in the Missouri Veterans Cemetery. Funeral services will follow the burial at 12:00 p.m. Friday, April 17, 2026 in Immaculate Conception Church. 

Martha always held faith and family first. We will carry this with us forever and she will be deeply missed. She is now at peace in heaven. The family wishes to thank all the friends and caregivers who contributed to Martha’s care over the last few years. It is deeply appreciated. Memorials may be made to Immaculate Conception Church, Seasons Hospice, or the St. Vincent de Paul Society.