Martha Marie (Lamb) Pilkenton, a resident of McKinney, Texas and the sweet and beautiful wife of Kenneth Pilkenton, passed away just before 10:00 PM on May 24, 2025, at the age of 77. She was born on April 22, 1948, to her parents, John Ellis Lamb and Annis Jewel (Edwards) Lamb in Shreveport, Louisiana. Martha grew up in Baytown, Texas. She met the love of her life, Kenneth Leo Pilkenton, forging a lifelong commitment of love on their wedding day, September 14, 1968, in Houston, Texas.
Martha worked for many years as a hairdresser, bringing not only beauty but also joy and confidence to everyone who sat in her chair. She had a special gift for making people feel cared for, and her clients often became friends. In addition to her career in hairdressing, Martha was a remarkably gifted vocalist. Music was a lifelong passion, and over the years, she found great joy in recording many heartfelt gospel songs. Her voice, filled with warmth and soul, touched all who heard it and reflected the depth of her faith and spirit.
A few days prior to her death, Martha said she was "ready to be with God". Her medical journey began about nine years ago with acute nerve and muscle damage after taking one Levaquin tablet. She suffered numerous treatments, surgeries and medications. The last two years of her life were intense, being in Emergency Room twenty-seven times and hospitalized twenty-two times. She was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in April, 2024. The past year was more intense due to the cancer, kidney failure, removing kidney stones five times ….. and a few other issues. She took eighteen chemotherapy treatments and five radiation treatments. Her last discharge from hospital was May 6, 2025, and was back in ER that night for five hours. Martha entered Hospice Care (at home) May 9, and was very well cared for through her last moments.
To quote the Bible - her favorite book, she "fought a good fight and kept the faith”. She enjoyed ministering to anyone that would allow her a few minutes. She loved people and people loved her.
Martha is survived by her beloved husband, Kenneth Pilkenton, of McKinney, Texas; sister, Glenda Hillestad (husband Mike), of Fordyce, Arkansas; by nieces, nephews and many longtime friends, who will miss her and cherish her memory.
Martha was preceded in death by her father John Lamb, her stepfather Christie McNulty and her mother Annis McNulty, her sister Nelda Odom, and brothers Waymon Lamb and Paul Lamb.
Martha requested to not have a "traditional" funeral service but to have a Memorial time for family and friends to come and go to show their regards.
The family will receive guests during a visitation from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. on Friday, May 30, 2025, at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home, 2525 Central Expressway North, Allen, Texas 75013.