Elsie Louise Martin

Elsie Louise Williams Martin born on August 15, 1923 departed this life on July 3, 2016 surrounded by her family. She entered this world as a daughter to Fred Stanley Williams and Harriet Ruth Allen Williams in Bennington, Vermont. She also had four brothers (Winnie, Thee, Fritz, and Dick) and four sisters (Harriet, Ruth, Virginia, and Marion), all deceased.

Growing up in Bennington she learned to snow ski, play the flute, grow vegetable and flower gardens, ride a bike, and chase after her older brothers. She graduated from Castleton College and immediately joined the United States Navy. Stationed in Washington DC during World War II as a Yeoman 3rd Class she played a vital role in supporting the war effort. A few years ago she and her daughter, Sherry, returned to Washington as a guest of the Honor Flight Network where she told many old war stories and proudly saw the new World War II Memorial.

After the war she married Harold Martin and they settled in Fort Worth, Texas. Several years after the birth of her daughter, she began a career as a teacher and spent the next 56 years teaching in the Birdville Independent School District and substitute teaching for the Peaster Independent School District after relocating to Peaster, Texas in 1984. She touched thousands of lives as a teacher and was admired for her ability to be strict but with a smile and a soft heart.

She may have been short in stature, but was tall in the love and respect she received from her family, friends, and students.

She lived to enjoy seeing her grandsons participate in Scouts, sports, and graduate not only from Peaster High School but graduate from college. Among her greatest pleasures was seeing two of her Great Grand Children graduate from Godley High School where she enjoyed many band concerts and those exciting football games. However, no matter how exciting the game, she loved the marching band the best. She attended several dance recitals starring her youngest granddaughter and just recently beamed with joy as she watched her youngest grandson star in Mary Poppins at the Uptown Theatre in Grand Prairie.

She was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star and a parishioner of the Saint Francis of the Assisi Church. She loved baking and cooking and will be long remembered for her Christmas treats and hundreds of birthday and wedding cakes.

She is survived by her daughter and her husband, Sherry and Richard Oliver of Peaster, Texas; two grandsons and their wives: Richard Martin (Marty) and Laura Oliver of Weatherford, Texas, and Jason and Gracie Oliver of Lake Worth, Texas; and 4 Great Grand Children: Grant, Kathleen, Grayson, and Mia Grace.

Her family would like to thank the staff of the Martin Crest Assisted Living and Memory Care for taking such good care of her, you are truly Angels on Earth.

Service to be held 10:00 a.m. July 19, 2016 at the Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery, Father Jay Atwood Officiating.