Martha Coppins Barber, 64, died Wednesday April 25, 2001 at her home in Grand Rapids, where she had lived the past 10 years. Martha was born June 15, 1936 in Hayes Township and graduated from Gaylord High School in 1954. She was valedictorian of her class. She was a graduate of the University of Michigan and upon graduation taught in Grand Rapids and Frederic. Martha was past president of the Lansing Poetry Club. She liked working with words and their meanings. She loved to read and enjoyed photography. Martha persevered 15 years of health problems and adversities while remaining a cheerful companion and mother. Mrs. Barber was survived by her beloved high school physics lab partner, Clayton; two children, Kathryn (Kevin) Hansz of Cheboygan and Kenneth (Jackie) Stearns of Gainsville, Fla.; four stepsons, Clayton III (Wendy) Barber of Independence, Mo., Gregory (Carla) Barber of Grand Rapids, Nathan Barber of Calumet, and Garrett Barber of Grand Rapids; two stepdaughters, Julianna (Mark) Evans of Spring Lake and Susanne (Todd) March of Fruitport; 15 grandchildren; and one sister, Lillian Hunt of Lansing. She is preceded in death by her parents, Roy and Lottie (Olund) Coppins. Funeral services will be today, Saturday, April 28 at 2 p.m. at the Nelson Funeral Home, Priest Gregory Barber officiating. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery. Visitation was on Friday and again today, from 1 p.m. until time of service. Memorial contributions may be made to the Otsego County Library or the Otsego County Historical Society through the Nelson Funeral Home, 135 N. Center Ave., Gaylord, MI 49735. Gaylord Herald Times, Thursday, May 3, 2001