Martha Francis “Tepa” Ross, 90, of Yorba Linda, California, and most recently of Lynden, Washington, passed peacefully from her earthly body into the arms of Jesus on Tuesday, August 11, 2026. She was lovingly surrounded by family.

Born on September 19, 1935, in Greentop, Missouri, Tepa was the youngest daughter of Oral and Anna Buchanan. She attended Davis Elementary School, a one-room schoolhouse, through eighth grade, then Greentop High School, and later Northwest Missouri State Teachers College in Kirksville, where she studied voice for two years.

In 1956, she moved to California, where she married the love of her life, Harold “Hal” Ross, on December 22 in San Mateo, California. Together, they built a life marked by devotion, faith, and nearly seven decades of steadfast love.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her three sisters: Louise Gregory, Elaine Turner, and Annabelle White.

Tepa is survived by her husband, Hal; her five children, Sherri (Ron) Ratliff, Robyn (Joe) Lovelady, Scott (Lynette) Ross, Wendy (Rob) Gentz, and Kelly (Ron) Allison; twenty-one grandchildren; seventy-two great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

Though gifted in many ways, Tepa found her true calling as a wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She poured herself into her family with unconditional love, prayer, and a gentle strength that shaped generations. She will be remembered as a talented seamstress with a flair for fashion, a love of color, and a gift for creating beauty wherever she went. Music was woven into the fabric of her life; singing in harmony with her family brought her joy all the way to the end.

Her legacy is one of faith, devotion, creativity, and a deep appreciation for the simple blessings of daily life.

Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Saturday, September 5, 2026 at Grace Community Bible Church (1501 E. Northtown Rd., Kirksville, MO 63501). A reception will be held immediately after the service at the church until 2:00 p.m.

Interment will follow the reception in the Greentop Cemetery.

A public visitation will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Friday, September 4, 2026 at Grace Community Bible Church in Kirksville.

Friends and family are invited to gather to celebrate Tepa’s life.

Expressions of sympathy may be left at or mailed to Travis-Noe Funeral Home, P.O. Box 306, Kirksville, MO 63501.