Laverne (Martin) Hedges

Laverne (Martin) Hedges, age 90, passed away on March 13, 2026. She was born on January 30, 1936, in Canton, Oklahoma, to Richard Thomas Martin and Oleta Kathleen (Billings) Martin.

Laverne was born and raised in Canton, Oklahoma, where she lived until high school. She attended grade school and high school in Seiling, Oklahoma, graduating in 1954. She later attended Oklahoma Panhandle State University.

On December 26, 1954, Laverne married the love of her life, Darwin Hedges, at the Hedges family farm two miles east of Seiling, Oklahoma. Together they built a life centered around family, faith, and service.

Throughout their early years of marriage, Laverne and Darwin lived in several communities across northwest Oklahoma including Goodwell, Woodward, Guymon, and Boise City from 1954 to 1970. They later lived in Paul’s Valley, Oklahoma from 1971 to 1975 and North Little Rock, Arkansas from 1976 to 1998 before eventually returning home to Seiling, Oklahoma.

Laverne dedicated much of her life to caring for her family as a full-time homemaker. She also worked as a secretary for an oil and gas leasing company and later as a jewelry salesperson. She had many interests and enjoyed gardening, square dancing, and volunteering. She and Darwin founded the Mexico Children’s Mission; served faithfully in the Seiling Food Pantry and was an active member of the First Christian Church.

Laverne and Darwin shared nearly 69½ years of marriage and built a loving family together. She was a proud mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Bud Martin; her husband, Darwin Hedges; and her infant son, Stuart Hedges.

Laverne is survived by her sons, Steven Hedges and wife Colinda of Seiling, Oklahoma; Scott Hedges and wife Mary of Nashville, Tennessee; and Stanley Hedges and wife Darby of Goshen, Arkansas. She is also survived by her sisters Nora Weber of Claremore, Oklahoma; Gracie Lindsey of Hopkinsville, Kentucky; Shirley Ross of Canton, Texas; Barbara and Mack McGaughey of Pasadena, Texas; and Ann and Bill Beaton of Scott City, Kansas.

She leaves behind a loving legacy that includes eight grandchildren, nineteen great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews, and many other beloved family and friends.

During her lifetime, she was honored as the President of Devoted Service of the Thompson Guild at the First Christian Church of North Little Rock, AR. Her family honored her with the “Family Medal of Honor,” recognizing the love, strength, and devotion she gave so freely to those around her.

Laverne will be remembered for her generous spirit, deep faith, and the love she shared with her family and community. Her life was a blessing to all who knew her.

Our family would like to express our sincere appreciation to her caregiver Alexis Fessenden; Dr. Duffy and the Seiling Hospital Staff; Seiling Nursing Home Staff; the Woodward ACG Hospice Staff; and all the family and friends that have supported our family through Mom’s journey to heaven.

Memorial Donations in Laverne's honor may be made to Seiling First Christian Church or First Christian Church Food Bank C/O Redinger Funeral Home, P.O. Box 236, Seiling, OK  73663.

A livestream of the service will be available on service day and after on the Redinger Funeral Home Facebook Page.