MARTHA SANDERS LARUE

1942-2021

Martha Ann Elizabeth Sanders LaRue returned to our Lord peacefully on Friday, the 6th of August 2021. Martha was born in Birmingham, Alabama on the 28th of July 1942, to her proud parents, John Franklin Sanders, Jr. and Martha Frances Chapman Sanders. Martha’s father was a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Navy and was part of the “90-Day Wonders” during World

War II, where he trained in the North Atlantic and was commissioned on the USS Natchez and later served in the Pacific theatre. Martha’s mother was a lifelong educator in Brownsville, Texas and retired to McAllen, Texas in 1981.

During Martha’s early years while her father was at war, she moved with her mother to various cities, including New York, Miami, and Staten Island. When her father returned from the war in 1945, the family moved to Harlingen, Texas, home of John Franklin, Jr.’s parents, John Franklin Sanders, Sr. and Lizzie Lee “Babe” Goolsby Sanders. On the 11th of June 1945, Martha welcomed a baby sister, Sue Lee. Between 1946 and 1957 the Sanders family moved to Albuquerque, Houston (where she attended Deady Middle School) then to Corpus Christi, Texas.

Martha attended W.B.

Ray High School in Corpus Christi, Texas. She graduated in 1960, which was the same year the “Fighting Texans” won the Texas State Football Championship. She was a member of several organizations, including as an officer of the Quill and Scroll Club, an international honor society for high school journalists, and served as editorin-chief for El Tejano, the high school’s award-winning bi-weekly newspaper, which portended her early passion for teaching, mentoring, and tutoring English and her passion for writing excellence that she would continue throughout her entire life.

In 1960, Martha began her collegiate studies and attended The University of Texas at Austin. She graduated in 1964 with a Bachelor of Arts and Sciences in English and History. While at The University of Texas, she was on the Texas Union Film Committee and served as a house officer and Advisor of Grace Hall, a dormitory for Episcopalian girls. She was also very involved with various student government committees and a member of the Student Education Association.

After graduating from UT, Martha began her teaching career in September 1964 (until June 1966) as a middle school English and Texas History teacher at Eisenhower Junior High School in San Antonio, Texas. While living in San Antonio, she met Billy K. LaRue of Belton, Texas and they were married on June 5, 1965 in Brownsville, Texas at Church of the Advent Episcopal Church.

In 1967, Martha moved to the southwest part of Houston, Texas and lived on Grape Street in the Meyerland area, where the young couple met many of their lifelong friends. 1968 was a very special year for Martha, as she became an aunt to her sister’s only child, Mara Lee (Rowin) Moats, and later that year, on November 29, Martha became a mother to her first child, Stephen Christopher. On the 10th of April 1970, Martha had her second child, James Patrick, and on the 17th of February 1973, Martha welcomed her third child, John David. Martha was dedicated to raising her family in the West Houston subdivision of Lakeside Forest, where she lived an active life for over 35 years. The Lakeside community was a very special place for Martha. She quickly became involved with the Lakeside

Women’s Club that served the community in numerous capacities. Martha also served as a “team mom” for many of her sons’ activities, including the Lakeside Swim Team, and several baseball, soccer and football teams. She also continued her Christian faith as a member of her local parish, Ascension Episcopal Church, where she first became a parishioner in February 1973 until her calling to God – a span of 48 years. She regularly attended services and was involved with bible study and other church events and activities.

In 1985, Martha returned to her passion for teaching at the local middle school, Paul Revere Middle School, in the Houston Independent School District. She began as a substitute teacher, and quickly became a full-time teacher. She taught English and soon after became the Department Chairperson. While at Revere, Martha intertwined the history of literature into her lessons and became a role model by mentoring student teachers and new teachers and created lasting relationships with many of the faculty and students. In the Spring of 2000, she earned her Masters of Education degree from The University of Houston, focusing on Gifted and Talented instruction and curriculum. Throughout her teaching career, she impacted hundreds, if not thousands, of lives for the better. Martha taught at Revere until her retirement in 2004, capping a notable 20-year career span as an educator.

Martha was a dedicated member of the Eta Delta Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma Society International, a global teacher organization that promotes professional and personal growth of women educators and excellence in education throughout the world. Her contributions and accomplishments for Delta Kappa Gamma spanned over 28 years after being inducted in 1993. She was Chapter President 20082010, Second Vice President 2014-2016, awarded the Eta Delta Chapter Achievement Award in 2009, and served on many different chapter committees, executive board meetings, and attended many Area III Workshops, DKG State Conventions, Southwest Regional Conferences, and some International Conventions. She was very dedicated to her “Rose Sisters”, creating many friendships so dear to her. She was also a member of the Texas Retired Teachers Association and the Houston Area Retired Teachers Association.

Martha had a dedication and lifelong passion of service and giving back to her community. In 1976, she joined the Houston Junior Forum, a nonprofit women’s organization established in 1946, committed to providing charitable service for children, youth, women and senior adults in the Greater Houston Area. During her service at HJF, she met many more lifelong friends volunteering at many events and functions. Working at the HJF Resale Shop was one of her greatest joys. For the last 10 years, Martha delivered meals to hundreds of Fort Bend County’s underserved seniors and families through her HJF service to the Fort Bend Chapter of Meals on Wheels.

In her “spare” time, Martha served as a volunteer usher at Houston’s historic Alley Theatre, supported the

Fort Bend County autism advocacy organization, Hope For Three, and volunteered as an English tutor to ESL students.

In 2007 Martha moved to Heritage Grand, a retirement community in Cinco Ranch, Katy, Texas where she built her home. At Heritage Grand she continued to flourish and pursue her passions in life. She quickly made many new friends; she performed as a leading or supporting actor in many play productions for the Heritage Grand Drama Club; hosted many book club events, including the Grand Page Turners Book Club; Dinner Club; Trivia Team; Bingo; Christmas Luncheon Table Captain and Hostess (10 years); Ladies Tea Table Captain and Hostess (10 years); and, traveled to numerous countries with the travel club. She enjoyed her ladies’ group, whether it was a game of Rummikub, Bunko, a night at the movies or her Friday night dinner club. Her Heritage Grand community was a tight-knit group that and Martha spoke of them all with great fondness.

Martha’s dedication and love for her family was her top priority and has had, and will continue to have, a profound and lasting impact. She loved and cherished her family - especially spending time with her grandchildren, whom they lovingly called “Grammi”. Martha was a passionate, dedicated, loving and a loyal Christian steward. She will be greatly missed by her family, friends and the communities she touched throughout her life.

Martha is preceded in death by her parents, John Franklin Sanders, Jr., and Martha Frances Chapman Sanders; and, her sister, Sue Lee “Suki” Sanders Rowin. Martha is survived by her three sons, Stephen Christopher LaRue of Houston, Texas, and his wife Jennifer Sue Randol LaRue, James Patrick LaRue of Sugar Land, Texas, and his wife Juliana

Johnson LaRue, John David LaRue, of Houston, Texas, his wife Melaney Amber Bennett LaRue; stepson, Donald “Lash” Ken LaRue of Galveston, Texas; niece, Mara Lee Rowin Moats of Edinburg, Texas, her husband Jeffrey Brian Moats, and great-niece, Lennon Lee Moats; grandchildren: Lauren Elizabeth LaRue, Bryce Patrick LaRue, Austin Lee LaRue, Celie Rece LaRue, and Logan Lucky LaRue, and grandmother to her daughter-in-law’s son, Mark “MJ” Marsh; and many, many cousins and other family.

The funeral service was conducted yesterday afternoon on Saturday, the 14th of August, at Ascension Episcopal Church, 2525 Seagler Road in Houston.

The family will gather at a later date for a private interment at Mont Meta Memorial Park in San Benito, Texas, where Martha will be laid to rest with her grandfather, grandmother, mother, father and other family members.

In lieu of customary remembrances, please consider a memorial contribution in Martha’s name to the Houston Junior Forum, PO Box 7941, Houston, TX 77270 (https://houstonjuniorforum. org/donate)