It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved sister, Martha Lou Huddleston, who passed away February 23, 2024 at the age of 85 after a long battle with dementia. Martha Lou Huddleston was the second child born to Lula Lee Huddleston (nee Furnace) and Doyle Wayland Huddleston on January 12, 1939 in Gorman, Eastland Co., Texas.

Martha grew up in De Leon, Texas, but her family moved from De Leon to Stephenville mid-term of her junior year. She graduated there in 1957, and then attended Tarleton and North Texas State.

After school Martha worked at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, doing Nephrology (kidney) research for nine years. In 1968 she moved to Maryland, just outside of Washington, D.C. and worked at the Walter Reed Army Institute for eight years, again in Nephrology. Martha returned to school, this time to get a degree in computer technology. She worked at CSX Railroad for the next ten years followed by consulting for the railroad.

The greatest adventure of Martha's life was about ten years of being heavily involved in skydiving.  The sport was only five years old in the United States when she started in 1961. They were sort of making it up as they went along. Martha was U.S. National Champion twice, qualified for the U.S. team 54 times and made seven appearances on the old Wide World of Sports. She got to skydive in Australia, Japan, Germany, Bulgaria, Yugoslavia, France, and England. Martha managed to win half of the time. She and her fellow skydiver, T Taylor, were the first women in Texas and the third pair of women in the U.S. to pass a baton in freefall. Her skydiving career was ended by a severe break to her tibia while she was skiing Hunter Mountain in New York State in 1971.

Marty, as she was fondly known by many friends, loved Maryland, but after 37 years, she decided that it was time for her to come home. In the spring of 2005, Martha moved back to De Leon. She was happy to be back. She lived directly across from Donnie Nowlin's Funeral Home which she visited almost daily for conversation and coffee with friends.

The most unique experience Martha recalled was while working at University of Texas Southwestern Medical School. She looked out the window at lunchtime and saw a beautiful black limousine convertible with flags and wondered…why would President Kennedy be coming to Parkland? In the Sixth Floor Museum in Dealey Plaza there are pictures of Martha and her coworkers in their white lab coats, standing outside Parkland Hospital that fateful day.

Martha was a loving daughter, sister, aunt, and friend. She was generous, fiercely independent, and determined. As a child when Higginbotham's announced a contest, Martha had to enter. Whoever collected the most shoes would win a beautiful red bike. She persuaded her daddy to even drive her to junkyards where she collected hundreds of shoes. Martha's determination earned her that shiny red bike she so desired!

Martha is survived by two sisters, Donna Moore (Dale) and Charlye Jaeger  (Don), ten nieces and nephews, and a host of other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Jean. We will miss Martha dearly but take comfort in the fact that she is now with our Lord, and free from suffering. May her soul rest in eternal peace.

A Celebration of Martha's life with Rev. Kaiya Kershaw officiating was held Thursday, February 29, 2024 at Nowlin Anders Funeral Home. Interment followed in De Leon Cemetery. If desired, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association a https://www.alz.org.