Mildred Ruth Saunders Martin

(August 9, 1925 ~ March 17, 2011)

Mildred, daughter of Ray Roland Saunders and Mary Ila Mahaffey, married to Robert Todd Martin and buried in Elmwood Memorial Park Cemetery, Abilene, Taylor County, Texas.

Mildred Ruth Martin, 85 years old, passed peacefully while surrounded by her loving family on Thursday, March 17, 2011, at Hospice of Wichita Falls, Texas.

Mildred Saunders was born in Bradshaw, Texas August 9, 1925 to Ray Roland Saunders and Mary Ila Mahaffey Saunders. She married Bob T. Martin July 8, 1942 and they celebrated 56 years together before his death February 16, 1998.

After her marriage and move to Abilene, Mildred graduated from Draughn's Business College. She worked as the credit manager for S & Q Clothiers for many years and later at the First National Bank in Abilene.

Mildred was a life-long member of Belmont Baptist Church. Rarely missing a Sunday, Mildred was a loyal, dedicated Sunday School teacher who loved teaching her preschool students about Jesus.

Mildred cherished her church family, her Women's Bible Study Groups and her regular birthday celebrations with close friends. She often taxied her friends to their appointments and errands as well as making frequent visits to nursing homes and hospitals.

For the past year and-a-half, Mildred has lived with her daughter and family in Wichita Falls, remaining active in her grandchildren and great-grandchildrens' activities --- soccer, baseball, cheerleading and choir concerts. Each of them benefitted from Ma-Ma's encouragement and delight in their talents and accomplishments.

Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. Monday, March 21, 2011, at Elliott-Hamil Funeral Home Chapel of Memories, 542 Hickory, with Reverend Rowland Gregory and niece Jody Johnson officiating. Burial will follow in Elmwood Memorial Park, Mausoleum II, directed by Elliott-Hamil Funeral Home. Viewing will be Sunday, March 20, 2011, at the funeral home until 9:00 p.m.

Survivors include son Bobby Martin and wife Judy of Abilene; daughter Terry Eager and husband Joe of Wichita Falls, Texas; five grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; several nieces and nephews; and two special friends Frieda Littlefield and Wanda Sherman.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; son Dwight Dewayne Martin; two brothers Jinx and Darrell Saunders; and her sisters Murlene Saunders and Murry Dabney Wells.

Pallbearers will be Casey Eager, Greg Martin, Jeff Daniels, Bill Haynes, Bert Johnson and Ronnie Dabney. Honorary pallbearer will be Larry Dabney.

Memorials may be made to Ben Richey Boys Ranch, P.O. Box 6839, Abilene, Texas 79608 or Hospice of Wichita Falls, Inc., P.O. Box 4804, Wichita Falls, Texas 76308.

You may view and sign the guestbook at www.elliotthamilfuneralhome.com.