Thelma Martin

Thelma Lee Martin passed away on Wednesday, December 20, 2017 at the home of her daughter and son in law Patty and Louie Williams. She was 99. Thelma was born near Grand Prairie, Texas on February 24, 1918. Her Papa died when she was three and her Mama raised Thelma and her two siblings alone. For many years they picked cotton in Ellis County with Thelma's grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. In the early 1930's Thelma and sister Gladys played basketball on the girls teams for Sardis School and Waxahachie High School. Thelma was the first of her family to graduate from High School. Thelma married Ellison, the absolute love of her life, in 1936. They were married almost 55 years until his death in 1991. They were faithful members of the Church of Christ in Waxahachie, Bossier City, La, San Angelo, TX, Oklahoma City, Paris, TX, Rosenberg, Temple and Corsicana. Wherever they lived, she always enjoyed working in their yard to create her beautiful flower gardens and lawns. When Ellison retired, they got to fulfill their dream of living in the country, raising cattle and growing a garden and orchard. They loved sharing their produce with friends. They also had a pony for her grandchildren. Thelma, sometimes with the grandchildren's help, named all of "her cows". She was especially proud of twin calves that she named Mary and Martha. She was happiest with she was doing something for someone, especially her family. She superbly cooked everybody's favorite foods. She was a fantastic seamstress and made clothes and school play and dance costumes for her children and grandchildren. She even made her daughters' prom dress and wedding dress. She taught Bible classes at church and at home. She was room mother and Girl Scout leader for many years, since her daughters were eleven years apart. Thelma and Ellison were chaperones on one of the Tiger Band buses that went to the 1963 State Championship Game (The Tigers won!). She was preceded in death by her parents, Robert Jones Martin and Rebecca Eckeberger Martin, spouse Ellison Martin (she loved that her name was always Martin), daughter Lynda Spence, infant son William Jerry, brother Lenvell Martin, sister Gladys Runnions and great granddaughter Ashton Lynn Morris. Thelma is survived by her daughter, Patty Williams and husband Louis, grandchildren, Dixie Morris, Christi Holman and husband Fred of Ada, OK, Miranda Senn and husband Paul of Russellville AR., Justin Williams and wife Rachel of Corsicana; great grandchildren, Lacey Calvert of Mustang, OK., Jordon and Scout Morris of Yucaipa, CA., Rowdy Holman of Ada, OK., Arabel and Aliza Williams of Corsicana, Riley Senn of Russellville, AR. She is also survived by "almost daughter" Frances Price of Hubbard as well as 3 great grandchildren and several dear nieces, nephews and cousins. The family wish to thank Thelma's long time loving care giver Ethel Boulwaire and her precious nurse Crystal from Hand in Hand Hospice who were blessings to Thelma as well as to her family. Her devotion to serving God and taking care of her family are blessings each family member will forever cherish. Visitation will be 12:00-2:00 pm Friday, December 22, 2017 at Griffin-Roughton Funeral Home. Funeral service will be 2:00 pm Friday at Griffin-Roughton Funeral Home chapel.

Thelma Martin

February 24, 1918 - December 20, 2017