Benjamin Carroll McPherson

Reverend Benjamin Carroll McPherson, 101, died peacefully on April 28, 2011 in his Austin home where he had resided since 1942. His loving wife, Martha Bundy McPherson, and their children and grandchildren were with him at the end.

Carroll McPherson was born into a clan of McPhersons and Bells near Hallsville, Texas on September 26, 1909. After completing high school in Hallsville, he attended Lon Morris Junior College, Southern Methodist University and graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in 1948.

In his early 20s, Carroll moved to Austin to work for the L.G. Balfour Company. He soon met and married Martha Bundy, a beautiful red-head from West Texas. They were married at Martha’s home on the Bundy Ranch near Junction, Texas in December 1936. Their devotion to one another lasted for more than 75 years and has been an inspiration to all who knew them. Carroll McPherson was a Christian gentleman who was known for his appreciation of a good story, a wry wit, an amazing memory and his strong Texas and Scottish roots.

During his long career with Balfour, he began studies at the Episcopal Seminary of the Southwest. Upon completion of his studies at the Seminary, he was ordained an Episcopal priest in 1969. Carroll and Martha were first assigned to Beaumont and Bridge City, Texas. After two years they returned to Austin and Carroll became an assistant at the Church of the Good Shepherd. Over the years, he and Martha enjoyed interim assignments in Amarillo, Midland, Abilene and San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. He retired from active ministry in 1992 at age 83.

Carroll was a member of Lamda Chi Alpha fraternity and he enjoyed his membership in the Bachelors Club of Austin. He was a 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Mason and a member of the Ben Hur Shriners. He was a founder of the North Austin Rotary Club.

Reverend McPherson is survived by his wife Martha, his son Benjamin McPherson and wife Marie, his daughter Mary Polk and husband James, his five granddaughters, Jennifer McPherson, Sarah McPherson Bowland, Alice McPherson Pierce, Molly Harding Polk and Annie McPherson Polk. He is blessed with eight great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his mother Kitty Bell McPherson, father Malcolm Alison McPherson and brother DeWitt McPherson.

No one appreciated more than Carroll the value of good friends and there are many. After more than seven decades in the same home, Carroll and Martha’s neighbors, both past and present, are part of their family. The friendship of Hermelinda Sarrejano cannot be measured.

The funeral service is on Monday, May 2, 2011 at 11:00 AM at the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, 3201 Windsor Road in Austin. Interment will follow at Austin Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Church of the Good Shepherd Endowment Fund or Faith in Action Caregivers.