Martha Jo Holbert Massengill

“Sometimes you get the chance to grow old with the ones you love. Your body fails even when the mind and spirit are strong. The choice is to live every day in dedication and devotion to the people and passions you love” (these words were found on a note dated May 16, 2016 and written by our “Mimi” who did just that). Martha Jo Edwards Holbert Massengill, 97, of Terrell, passed away peacefully on June 1, 2016 surrounded by family. Martha Jo was born on September 21, 1918, the fourth child to the late Turner Wesley Edwards and Kate Lee Felkner Edwards of Terrell. She graduated Salutatorian from Kaufman High School in 1936 and went on to attend The University of Mary Hardin Baylor. She graduated from North Texas State University with a double degree in Business and Education and was voted “Most Beautiful” by her classmates. She always enjoyed returning to campus for special events and her Alpha Delta Pi sorority sisters and their June reunions for more than 70 years. While at North Texas State University, Martha Jo met Joe L. Holbert. After graduation, she moved to Junction, Texas, to teach high school seniors. Joe was the football coach and they married on June 7, 1941. After Pearl Harbor, Joe enlisted in the United States Navy. They lived in San Diego, California, before she returned to serve as High School Principal for Crandall ISD. Following the war, they owned and operated Holbert’s Fresher Foods in Terrell for more than 30 years. Their marriage was blessed with two daughters, Pamela Holbert Small of Austin and LeeAnn Holbert Hutchison of Terrell. While raising their family in Terrell, Martha Jo was active in social and political endeavors. She served as Co-Chair of Terrell’s Centennial Celebration, City Planning and Zoning Commission, Board of Directors of Terrell State Bank, Terrell Garden Club and Browning Club. For more than 70 years, she enjoyed her Tuesday Bridge Club. She read the Dallas Morning News cover to cover daily to “keep up” with world affairs and sports. Travel was her passion, and she traveled the world. Until recently, she was a lifelong Democrat. Martha Jo represented Kaufman County as a State Delegate to the 1968 Democratic National Convention and served on the State Democratic Executive Committee. She was a faithful Sunday school teacher and the oldest living member of the First Baptist Church of Terrell. She deeply appreciated her church family, especially Thelma Stroman, Dr. and Mrs. Casey Risinger and family who visited her often after she was unable to attend services regularly. Joe preceded her in death in 1979, and she was later married to Fred I. Massengill and Dr. James F. Graham, both of whom preceded her in death as did her brothers Granville, Clifford and Jack Edwards and sister Christine Kelley, and son in law, Paul Hutchison. Martha Jo was a loving, devoted and generous Mother and Grandmother and leaves behind to cherish her memory and carry on her legacy her daughters LeeAnn Hutchison and Pamela Small and son in-law Ed, six grandchildren: Cecily Small Gooch and husband Scott, Clint Small and wife Allison, Cortney Hutchison, Paige Hutchison Beesley and husband Glen, Martha Small Dyess and husband James and Owen Hutchison and wife Kari, her twelve great grandchildren Josie, Ceci and Vince Gooch, Annie and Edward Small, Charles and Kate Dyess, Sloane, Marin and Weldon Beesley, Gavin and Jack Hutchison, and her loving nieces Carol Owens, Cathy Edwards and Velvet Glass. Martha Jo will be remembered by family and friends for her positive attitude, devotion to God and church, loving touch, and her kind and gracious spirit. She was loyal and devoted to her friends and family and encouraged them to live each day with a sense of adventure, a thirst for knowledge and a grateful heart. Her last wishes for her family were that they would enjoy each other, travel the world, and live well with honor and grace. Her life is the definition of a “life well lived”. A memorial service and reception will be held at the First Baptist Church at 2:00 pm on Saturday, June 4, 2016, and burial will be a private family service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, 2222 Welborn St., Dallas, TX 75219 or the First United Methodist Church, 503 W. College Street, Terrell, TX 75160.

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Martha Jo Holbert Massengill

September 21, 1918 - June 1, 2016