Martha Hope Sutherland, longtime resident of Tulsa, Oklahoma, passed away on the morning of August 21, 2026, with her loving brother, Art, and his wife, Cori, by her side.

Hope was born on October 18, 1946 in Pulaski, Virginia, but Tulsa was home-the place where she spent most of her adult life and built a community of friends who became family. After attending Oral Roberts University for two years, she earned her degree from Tulsa University. Hope worked for a number of nonprofit organizations, a career path that suited her generous spirit and genuine desire to help others. In her later years, she became a beloved substitute teacher for Tulsa Public Schools, where her warmth, humor, and ability to strike up a conversation with just about anyone served her well.

Hope was preceded in death by her parents, Ralph and Edith Sutherland, and her brothers Ralph, Roger, and David. She is survived by her brother, Arthur (Cori) Sutherland, nieces Eva Maria (Chris) Terry and Christie (Todd) Heerschop, and many dear friends whom Hope most certainly considered family.

Hope traveled extensively, and her home told the tale. It was an eclectic-and perhaps occasionally inexplicable-collection of treasures gathered from a lifetime of adventures. Nearly every item had a story attached to it, and fortunately for anyone who visited, Hope was more than happy to tell it.

Hope never met a stranger. She had a remarkable way of making people feel welcomed, included, and as though they had known her much longer than they actually had. She was kind and generous, curious about people, and always ready for a conversation.

And conversation was something Hope did particularly well.

Like the rest of the Sutherland family, Hope was a gifted-and enthusiastic-storyteller. Between a childhood in southwest Virginia, extensive travels, decades of life in Tulsa, and the distinction of being the baby in a family of five children, she had no shortage of material. A story might take a detour or two before reaching its destination, but that was part of the fun. Hope knew that sometimes the best part of a story was everything that happened along the way.

She lived with curiosity, gave generously, traveled widely, collected freely, loved her people deeply, and left behind a lifetime of stories. Those who loved Hope will miss hearing her tell them-but will undoubtedly keep telling them for her.

No services are scheduled at this time.

Cremation services have been entrusted to Moore Funeral Home - Southlawn Chapel.