Dr. Martha Janet Buford Blaylock was born November 10th , 1930, in Naples, Texas to the union of Mina Buford and Ionia Webster Buford. She was the 7th child of 19 siblings. Martha graduated from Panhandle School in 1949. Martha married Clarence Blaylock on June 4 th , 1953 and gave birth to two children: Stephanie R. Blaylock, and Clarence "Rusell" Blaylock. Clarence Blaylock preceded Martha in death in 1988.

Growing up, Martha enjoyed listening to soap operas on the radio with her father. She also enjoyed going into the woods and gathering berries and nuts. Martha enjoyed sports and played basketball in high school with two of her sisters. In her adult years, Martha was a seamstress and worked for JCPenney, Macy's, and Dillard's until her retirement in the 90s. Additionally, Martha attended and graduated from Faith Bible College with her Associates in Bible Studies in 2003, her Bachelors in Christian Counseling in 2006, her Masters in Christian Counseling in 2010, and ultimately her Doctorate in Christian Counseling and Theology in 2012.

Martha accepted Christ early in her life and faithfully attended Second Baptist Church, Spirit Life Prayer Center and, later in life, Miracle Temple Christian Church under the direction of Pastor Melvina Ruffin. Martha loved the Lord and spent her years serving her community through ministry. Martha was an active member of the Women's A Glow prayer group for many years and spent decades faithfully bringing the word of God to the inmates of the Jackson County jail located in downtown Kansas City, Missouri. For her years of service at the Jackson County jail, Martha was awarded the Corine Martin Achievement award from the Sheer Essence School of Etiquette in the year 2014. She was also a leader on the Mother's Board of Miracle Temple Christian Church, where she held annual Mother's Board teas that included a talent and fashion show. Martha faithfully taught Sunday School and continuously looked for ways to share her love of the Lord with her community and the world. Martha was blessed with the opportunity to travel around the world. She visited Egypt, Israel, Russia, Canada, Mexico, the Bahamas, and many other places in her lifetime.

Martha Janet Blaylock was a unique woman with a snazzy sense of style that she often created herself. Martha frequently used her excellent seamstress skills to turn a tablecloth into a dress, or curtains into culottes. Martha's other distinctive skills included master tambourine player, champion prayer warrior, and excellent bargain shopper. Martha enjoyed traveling up and down the highway with her brother Lengthecul Buford and spending time with her siblings at the Buford family farm.

Martha Janet Buford Blaylock was preceded in death by her parents, Mina and Ionia Buford and her siblings: Dorothy Buford McGary, Doris Buford Carter, Anuel Buford, Learnease Buford Richardson, Pastor Samuel Buford, Mina Buford, Jr., Lengthecul Buford, and Alderay Buford. She is survived by her children, Stephanie R. Blaylock, and Clarence "Rusell" Blaylock and two grandchildren, Eugena R. Woodson, and Clarisha L. Blaylock. She also leaves behind siblings: Elder Mildred Buford Braxton, Hiawatha Buford Roberson, Alice Buford Williams, Sharnia Buford, Wade Buford Sr., and Alta L. Buford Owens and a host of other family and friends.

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