Martha Ann Donaldson

Martha Ann Donaldson succumbed to her battle with dementia and passed away on December 25, 2016. She was a force of nature and epitomized the term “Feisty Red Head.” She will be missed. Martha Ann was born to Robert Calhoun and Lena Jo McClure Howell in West, Texas, on June 13, 1928. She attended school at West before moving to Gatesville, Texas, in January 1944. She graduated from Gatesville High School in 1945. She attended Texas Wesleyan University in Fort Worth and Texas Tech University in Lubbock. Martha Ann married Morris Parker Donaldson in 1950 and they moved from Central Texas to El Paso, Texas. She was involved in many civic organizations in El Paso, including The Woman’s Club, The Young Matrons and P.E. O. She was a member of Trinity-First United Methodist Church. In the early 1980s, Morris and Martha Ann moved back home to Central Texas. How she loved Central Texas. Martha Ann enjoyed antiques and antiquing with her friend, Natalie Risinger. They had many wonderful adventures antiquing and opened and ran antique shops in various locations in Central Texas. She was a member of Woodway First United Methodist Church. She loved dogs and had many throughout her life. Martha Ann was very proud and honored to be a member of The Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) and the Daughters of the Republic of Texas (DRT) Sterling Robertson chapter. In 2013, Martha Ann was diagnosed with dementia and moved back to El Paso to be closer to family. Martha Ann was preceded in death by her parents and husband of 41 years, Morris Parker Donaldson. Martha Ann is survived by her sisters, Joyce Howell Edwards and Judy Howell McClesky of Gatesville, TX; sons, Robert Parker (D’Arcy) Donaldson of Ruidoso, NM and James Howell (Mary) Donaldson of El Paso, TX; grandchildren, Kristine Marie Donaldson of San Diego, CA, Sean Robert (Veronica) Donaldson of Ruidoso, NM, James Patrick Donaldson of El Paso, TX; great-granddaughter, Parker Renee Donaldson; nieces, Carol Furr Lea, Kathy Edwards Chasteen, Karen Kindrick; and nephew, Donald Kindrick. The family would like to thank Dr. Louis Guerra, Dr. Radu Ciubuc, the staffs of Monte Vista and Royal Estates, Dania Sapien and staff at Golden Park Foster Home and Envision Hospice. A memorial service will be held at a future date in McGregor, Texas. Donations may be made to The Alzheimer’s Association, the Humane Society or charity of your choice. Services were entrusted to Sunset Funeral Home-West, 480 N. Resler Dr. Please visit our online registry @ www.sunsetfuneralhomes.net.