Obituary for Martha Banton
Martha F. (“Boots, Bootsie”) Banton, age 86, of Joplin, MO, a longtime St. Louis resident, passed away
on Monday, September 26, 2022, surrounded by her family. Boots was born May 30, 1936, in Atlanta,
GA, to William Taft and Lillian Cecile (Burden) Fowler. When Boots was a teen, the family moved to
Greensboro, NC. Following her high school graduation, Boots attended Meredith College for two years
and then transferred to the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, where she was an active member
of Delta Delta Delta sorority and graduated with her bachelor’s degree in sociology. Boots married the
love of her life, Thomas James Banton, Jr., of Madison Heights, VA, on August 24, 1958. The couple lived
in Durham, NC, while Tom completed his medical school education at Duke University. While in Durham,
Boots taught business school, was a secretary, and worked as a librarian. The couple welcomed
daughter Stephanie during those years. The Bantons then moved to Fort Meade, MD, where they
welcomed son Bill and Dr. Banton served as an Army Captain. The family moved to St. Louis in 1965.
Boots was a true homemaker who enjoyed cooking, sewing, knitting, needlepoint, and reading. She was
the most gracious of hostesses when entertaining, her family describing her as the ultimate Southern
belle. She would have made Emily Post proud! She was a wonderful mom who was very involved in her
children’s schools and activities. Boots doted on her beloved dogs and cats, was an avid supporter of the
March of Dimes, and volunteered at Good Shepherd Episcopal Church. When her children were older,
Boots decided to continue her education, completing master’s level courses in psychology. She and Tom
also enjoyed travel with friends and family. They remained in St. Louis until 2011 when they moved to
Joplin to be closer to family. There, Boots became a member of First Christian Church, Joplin.
Boots is survived by a daughter, Stephanie Watson-Bruto (Kevin Bruto) of Joplin, MO, and a son William
”Bill” Banton (Elizabeth) of Columbia, MO; five grandchildren, Chelsea Countryman (Ryan) of Raymore,
MO, Christina “Elise” Stieferman (Connor) of Ballwin, MO, Emily Reynolds (Andrew) of Joplin, MO,
Brandon Banton (Jordan) of Wichita, KS, and Christina Banton of Columbia, MO; and three great-
grandchildren, Kolton Countryman, Peyton Reynolds, and Aiden Banton. She was preceded in death by
her parents and her husband.
The family will receive friends from 6-7 p.m. on Friday, September 30, at Mason-Woodard Mortuary, of
Joplin. Services will be at 10 a.m. on Saturday, October 1, at Mason-Woodard. Burial will follow in the
Osborne Memorial Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to Golden Paw Pet Rescue or
First Christian Church, Joplin, would be appreciated. Online condolences may be made at
www.masonwoodard.com.
on Monday, September 26, 2022, surrounded by her family. Boots was born May 30, 1936, in Atlanta,
GA, to William Taft and Lillian Cecile (Burden) Fowler. When Boots was a teen, the family moved to
Greensboro, NC. Following her high school graduation, Boots attended Meredith College for two years
and then transferred to the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, where she was an active member
of Delta Delta Delta sorority and graduated with her bachelor’s degree in sociology. Boots married the
love of her life, Thomas James Banton, Jr., of Madison Heights, VA, on August 24, 1958. The couple lived
in Durham, NC, while Tom completed his medical school education at Duke University. While in Durham,
Boots taught business school, was a secretary, and worked as a librarian. The couple welcomed
daughter Stephanie during those years. The Bantons then moved to Fort Meade, MD, where they
welcomed son Bill and Dr. Banton served as an Army Captain. The family moved to St. Louis in 1965.
Boots was a true homemaker who enjoyed cooking, sewing, knitting, needlepoint, and reading. She was
the most gracious of hostesses when entertaining, her family describing her as the ultimate Southern
belle. She would have made Emily Post proud! She was a wonderful mom who was very involved in her
children’s schools and activities. Boots doted on her beloved dogs and cats, was an avid supporter of the
March of Dimes, and volunteered at Good Shepherd Episcopal Church. When her children were older,
Boots decided to continue her education, completing master’s level courses in psychology. She and Tom
also enjoyed travel with friends and family. They remained in St. Louis until 2011 when they moved to
Joplin to be closer to family. There, Boots became a member of First Christian Church, Joplin.
Boots is survived by a daughter, Stephanie Watson-Bruto (Kevin Bruto) of Joplin, MO, and a son William
”Bill” Banton (Elizabeth) of Columbia, MO; five grandchildren, Chelsea Countryman (Ryan) of Raymore,
MO, Christina “Elise” Stieferman (Connor) of Ballwin, MO, Emily Reynolds (Andrew) of Joplin, MO,
Brandon Banton (Jordan) of Wichita, KS, and Christina Banton of Columbia, MO; and three great-
grandchildren, Kolton Countryman, Peyton Reynolds, and Aiden Banton. She was preceded in death by
her parents and her husband.
The family will receive friends from 6-7 p.m. on Friday, September 30, at Mason-Woodard Mortuary, of
Joplin. Services will be at 10 a.m. on Saturday, October 1, at Mason-Woodard. Burial will follow in the
Osborne Memorial Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to Golden Paw Pet Rescue or
First Christian Church, Joplin, would be appreciated. Online condolences may be made at
www.masonwoodard.com.