Martha R. Russell

Martha R. Russell died peacefully on September 19, 2008 in Houston after 88 full years. She was born Martha Regina Hunter in Lampasas, Texas on August 25, 1920 to Thomas Remegius Hunter and Maggie Mae Hanks. She graduated from The University of Texas with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education in June, 1943. There she met Robert Allen Owens and they married on October 30, 1945. She was widowed when he was killed during the Korean War in October 1953. She married Leroy Russell, a Methodist minister, on August 1, 1962. They served churches throughout the Southwest Texas Conference for many years, and retired to Austin. After Leroy passed away October 8, 1998, she moved to Houston in February 2001. Following UT graduation Martha worked for the Austin Recreation Department, until she and Bob moved to Marine Corp postings in Paris Island, SC and then Washington, DC, where she worked for Leatherneck Magazine. After Bob's death, she worked for the Texas Medical Association in Austin, until marrying Leroy. After Leroy's retirement from the ministry, she worked for Austin Independent School District Administration. Her blood ran orange for her Longhorns through it all, to her last day. She is survived by her son Rob Owens of Houston; step-children Larry Russell of Cedar Park, David Russell of Kingwood, and Marsha Russell of Austin; sister Annie Jo Reding of Lampasas; grandchildren Matt Owens, Beth Owens, Diana Russell McAfee, Mary Russell Eichman, Laura Russell, Emily Russell Minica, and Jeremy Russell; daughters-in-law Brenda Owens, Kathy Russell, and Phyllis Russell; and four great-grandchildren. Visitation will be held Sunday September 21 from 3:00 to 5:00 PM at Weed-Corley-Fish funeral home, 3125 N. Lamar Blvd., Austin, TX, (512) 452- 8811. Funeral services will be Monday September 22 at 2:00 PM at Covenant United Methodist Church 4410 Duval, Austin Texas 78727. Private entombment will follow. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to her church, West University United Methodist at 3611 University Blvd., Houston, TX, 77005; the American Heart Association, or Macular Degeneration Research.