Martin Brockett

(From Mason-Woodard Mortuary)

Dr. Martin Brockett was born on July 26, 1929, in a covered wagon in rural Minnesota. He entered his eternal rest on Sunday, February 22, 2026. Martin married Betty Evelyn Bolander on October 18, 1948; the two were married 71 years prior to Betty’s passing in 2020. Martin served over 55 years as a pastor and continued serving in the capacity as interim pastor and Sunday School teacher after his official retirement in 1995. He was a member of Emmanuel Baptist Church in Webb City, Mo and a cancer survivor. A deep commitment of Christian service, mentorship and ministry to the community is, will always be, his legacy.

Dr. Brockett was preceded in death by the love of his life, Betty, three brothers, Robert, Chuck, Happ and sister Ruby. He is survived by sister Cathy Waterman, three daughters, Patsy (Art) Wheeless; Carol Shellenbarger (and the late Bob Shellenbarger); Cindy Ramsey (and the late David Ramsey); and one son, Michael (Linda) Brockett. He was the proud grandfather of 9 grandchildren, 26 great grandchildren and 6 great-great grandchildren.

Martin was a veteran of World War II, having joined the Army/Air Force at age 16. He served on the island of Guam as a hospital medic for two years. Martin was licensed to preach in 1953 at the Walnut Baptist Church in Burlington, IA and ordained at the Dover Baptist Church in LaGrange, MO in 1956. He was a graduate of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, TX and completed graduate and post graduate studies at Luther Rice Seminary in Jacksonville, FL. Dr. Brockett was a distinguished member of the Charles Haddon Spurgeon Society of William Jewell College in Liberty, MO.

Dedicating his life to the service of God and the nurturing of God’s people was Martin’s passion. He entered the full time ministry in 1956, serving as pastor of the Dover Baptist Church in LaGrange, MO while attending Hannibal LaGrange College. His other full-time ministries included the Tenth Street Baptist Church in Trenton, MO; McKinley Ave. Baptist Church in Joplin, MO; Calvary Baptist Church in Florissant, MO; First Baptist Church in Flat River, MO; Calvary Baptist Church in Alton, IL and; Bethany Baptist Church in Carthage, MO. Martin pastored the First Baptist Church in Ponder, TX and the Cedar Temple Baptist Church in Dallas, TX while attending seminary in Fort Worth, TX. Martin also served as a Missionary Pastor at the Albia Road Baptist Mission in Ottumwa, IA for one year.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Solace House of the Ozarks, Joplin, MO.

A visitation will be held at Emmanuel Baptist Church in Webb City, MO at 1:00 pm on Thursday, February 26, 2026.
The funeral service will follow at 2:00 pm, also at Emmanuel Baptist Church.
Burial will follow at Ozark Memorial Park Cemetery in Joplin

Pallbearers will be Aaron Brockett, Dustin Shellenbarger, Michael Healey, Jaren Newman, Kieran Newman and Holden Deer.