Linda Martha Ray Vickers was born February16, 1940 in Bebee, Arkansas to a polymath and athletic father, Malcom Ray Highfill, and the kindest mother Nellie Highfill.  She earned a B.A. from the University of Arkansas where she continued graduate studies.  Martha worked as a food service executive supervisor for the Garland Independent School District until retiring in 1999.  In 2025, she celebrated her 85th birthday at home with her family in Salado, TX.

Martha always placed family first.  She was married to Charles Vickers for 61 years and always extolled his hard work with love and support.  They had two children, Stephen and Sheldon Vickers.  Stephen is survived by his two daughters, Gretchen and Heidi, both beautiful, talented women who Martha loved and cared for as much as her own children.  Sheldon Vickers and his wife, June Ritterbusch live in Salado and have one son, Adelino Vickers who overwhelmingly loved his grandmother.

Her legacy includes receiving the Arkansas Century Farm Program award in 2019 for her tree farm, the Highfill Family Farm, which has been owned by her family since 1915 and is located in Prairie County, Arkansas.

Together, Martha and Charles established the Vickers Family Farm near Mountain View Arkansas.  They worked diligently to plant pine in the fields and reforest the rocky hillsides in both shortleaf pine and oak, in addition to managing wildlife in the area.  She loved to spend time in Mountain View where she could admire the mountains, wildflowers, and her favorite animals: hummingbirds, their yellow lab, Ranger, and their cat, Snowy.

Martha was baptized and became a member of St. Joseph’s Episcopal Church in Salado, Texas, and was active in the Republican ladies’ organizations throughout her life.  She is remembered as an amazing homemaker, a creative spirit, and a tender heart who lived through kindness and caring for others.

Martha asked us to mention her dearest friends: Pam, Chris, Polly and Ken, as providing her with love, hope, and friendship in her days!

A visitation and service will take place on April 16th, from 9 - 10:00 am at Broecker Funeral Home of Salado, with The Reverend Dave Scheider officiating.  Interment will follow at 11:00 am, at Central Texas Veterans Cemetery, Killeen, Texas.