Ruthie Martin

Ruth Richardson Martin, long time resident of Lampasas and respected local educator, died Wednesday, July 1. Born on the Fourth of July, 1943, Mrs. Martin passed away four days short of her 83rd birthday. She was a gifted and dedicated high school teacher committed to the success of her students.

Mrs. Martin grew up in West Columbia, Texas, where she graduated from high school. She attended Wharton Junior College, then received her BBA from Baylor University and her Masters in Education from the University of Texas at Austin.

She taught briefly in Rosenberg and Copperas Cove before moving to Lampasas with her husband, Michael M. Martin, in 1970. She retired from the Lampasas Independent School District in 2012 after 42 years of teaching.

Her excellence in teaching was recognized through numerous awards including the Golden Apple Award from the Temple Daily Telegram, Wal-Mart Teacher of the Year in 2000 and the Lamar Award of Excellence for Personal Achievement from the Saratoga Lodge #546 A.F. & A.M. of the Grand Lodge of Texas (Masons). The award she most treasured was the success of her students, watching their lives unfold and welcoming their children and grandchildren into her classroom.

Active and involved in her community, Mrs. Martin was a long time member of the City of Lampasas Library Advisory Board and a Trustee for the Board of the Library Foundation of Lampasas. She served as a Board Member of the Lampasas County Historical Commission, her term including the publication of the Lampasas County History Book, Volume 2. She was a founding member of the Beta Mu Sorority. She was also a member of the Pierian Club for more than 45 years, during much of that time, she served as sponsor of the Junior Pierian organization. She was a member of the Lampasas County Retired Teachers Association and Delta Kappa Gamma.

She was an active member of First Baptist Church. She volunteered regularly for many years with the Lampasas Mission Food Pantry. In addition, she was a member in good standing of the Thursday Luncheon Club.

Ruthie Martin is survived by her husband of more than 57 years, Mike and son, Ben Martin, several nieces, nephews and cousins and an enormous following of friends and former students. She was preceded in death by her parents, Myrtle and R.B. Richardson.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests support for Library Foundation of Lampasas (201 S. Main, Lampasas, TX 76550) or Lampasas Mission Food Pantry (P.O. Box 51, Lampasas, TX 76550) or the charity of your choice.

Services will be Wednesday, July 8 at 10 am at First Baptist Church, with Dr. Rick Willis officiating. Burial will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery. Arrangements by Sneed-Carnley Funeral Chapel Lampasas.