Martha Grace Hodgens

Martha was predeceased by her husband Jack Hodgens; parents, Alfred Curby Ligon, Sr. and Edythe Frances White Ligon; and her stepson, Mark Hodgens. Martha is survived by her son and devoted caregiver, David Hodgens of Pflugerville; daughter Karen Moore and husband, Gayland, of Woodway; stepdaughter-in-law Trish Hodgens of Spring; granddaughters Marissa Moore of Georgetown and Sydney Densmore and husband, Jack, of Kyle; brother Curby Ligon and wife, Dinah, of Plano; sister Laura Thurman and husband, Bob, of Dallas; nephews Brian Ligon and wife, Jessica, of La Porte, and Bryan Thurman of Plano; and grandnephew Zak Ligon of La Porte, and various extended family and many, many friends.

Martha, affectionately known as “Mamaw” to her granddaughters, was born on June 19, 1935 in Chicago, Illinois while her father was on a business trip. Martha grew up in Abilene and was very proud to call Abilene her hometown. Martha graduated from Abilene High School in 1952, and got her bachelor’s in music education, studying under Dr. Jack Dean, from Hardin-Simmons University in 1956. While at Hardin-Simmons, she was a member of the Cowgirls and was nominated Homecoming Queen. She later taught elementary music and high school choir at Dallas and Odessa schools, including teaching Larry Gatlin of Larry Gatlin & the Gatlin Brothers at Odessa High School.

Martha then married her beloved husband, Jack Hodgens, in 1968. In 1972, she and Jack moved to Austin where she was devoted to caring for her children, and she later was a special education aide at Barrington Elementary of Austin ISD in the 1990s. After having a six-year-old and one-year-old granddaughter just a bit too far from home, Martha and Jack then moved to Pflugerville in 2001 to help take care of their granddaughters, Marissa and Sydney. “Mamaw” made sure she was at every talent, band, and choir performance and loved her granddaughters “to the moon and back.”

Not long after her move to Pflugerville, Martha became a member of Pflugerville First United Methodist Church, where she helped with the children’s Cherub Choir, was a member of Servant Angels, sang in the Chancel Choir, and assisted in the Food Pantry. Martha always made sure to be devoted to her church, her community, her family, teaching children music, and to whoever, wherever, and whenever she could make a meaningful impact.

Martha’s memorial service will be at 11 am on Monday, April 13, 2026, at Pflugerville First United Methodist Church. Visitation with family at 10 am. In lieu of flowers, Martha’s family encourages donations to the Texas Choral Directors Association or Blood Cancer United.