Pawnee Martin

MARTIN, PAWNEE March 26, 1922-December 30, 2005 Pawnee Aline Wansley Martin, 83, died at her residence December 30th after a recent illness. She was a sweet and gentle spirit who touched many lives. A memorial service will be held at the chapel in First United Methodist Church in Waco on Monday, January 2, 2006 at 10:00 a.m. There will be a visitation Sunday, January 1, 2006 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Wilkerson-Hatch-Bailey Funeral Home. Pawnee was born March 26, 1922 in Waco, to Mildred McDonald Wansley and Shellie Edwin Wansley. She attended North Waco Elementary, West Jr. High and Waco High. A graduate of the Class of 1939 at the age of 16, Pawnee was elected Mayor of Waco High School and was the first young woman to hold that honor. She completed Baylor University three years later, spending her last semester doing classroom teaching in Orange due to a teacher shortage during World War II. During that semester another young teacher and coach, William A. Martin, courted her. The couple married in September 1942 at North Waco Baptist Church. During the next 35 years Pawnee combined raising a family with classroom teaching. Most of her teaching years were devoted to first graders and the art of reading. In the Waco area, she taught in McGregor, Bosqueville, LaVega and Waco, retiring from Crestview Elementary in 1977. Pawnee spent untold hours preparing and teaching Sunday School classes, both youth and adult, at Herring Avenue United Methodist Church from 1952 until the church’s closing three years ago. Another of her loves was creative writing, including children’s books and stories. Pawnee was a charter member of the Positive Thinkers Club and supported many causes including the Peale and Graham ministries, the Carter Foundation and Habitat for Humanity. Cheering for the Baylor Bears and for her children’s and grandchildren’s sports teams brought her countless hours of joy. Even during this last year of failing health, Pawnee followed the Lady Bears’ basketball team and the men’s baseball team through every game in their successful runs. Released from the hospital Friday afternoon after a 5-day stay, she spent her final few hours at home watching grandson Chris Bennett’s Missouri Tigers take a come-from-behind victory in the Independence Bowl. Pawnee was a devoted and loving mother to her three children, Mildred Beth Martin Garrett, William S. Martin and wife Melissa and Carroll Greer Martin and husband Clyde Bennett. She was predeceased by her husband, Bill, her parents and her brother-in-law, A.C. Hawthorne. In addition to her children and their spouses, she is survived by her sister, Edna Marie “Kitty” Hawthorne, her grandchildren: Richard Powers, Angela Tomecek, Jeff Martin and wife Lisa, Christopher Bennett, Brooke Bennett and Callie Martin, and great-grandchildren: Craven Powers, Hollie Tomecek, Astin Powers, Billie Tomecek, Chelsea Glenn, Rex Martin and Grant Martin. The family thanks her devoted caregivers from Meals on Wheels, Visiting Angels and Bluebonnet Home Health Services for their special care during these last few months. Memorials may be made to Meals on Wheels, Habitat for Humanity or other service charity. Pallbearers will be Richard Powers, Jeff Martin, Christopher Bennett, Craven Powers, Kyle David Rose and Joe Bittenbinder. Honorary pallbearers are the surviving members of the WHS Class of ’39 and of Herring Avenue UMC. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our “Memorial Guestbook” at www.wilkirsonhatchbailey.com