Ruth Richardson Martin, longtime high school English teacher, died July 1, 2026, just days before her 83rd birthday.
Services will be held July 8 at 10 a.m. at First Baptist Church, with Dr. Rick Willis to officiate. Burial will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery. Sneed-Carnley Funeral Chapel has charge of arrangements.
Born on the Fourth of July, 1943, Mrs. Martin was known as a gifted teacher committed to the success of her students.
She grew up in West Columbia, where she graduated from high school. She attended Wharton Junior College, then received her BBA from Baylor University and her Master’s 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. Mrs. Martin retired from the Lampasas Independent School District in 2012 after 42 years of teaching.
Her excellence in teaching was recognized through numerous awards she garnered, 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 in her community, Mrs. Martin was a longtime member of the Lampasas Library Advisory Board and a trustee for the Library Foundation of Lampasas, Texas. She also served as a board member of the Lampasas County Historical Commission. Her term included publication of the Lampasas County History Book, Volume 2.
She was a founding member of the Beta Mu Sorority. Mrs.
Martin also was a member of the Pierian Club for more than 45 years, and during much of that time she served as sponsor for the Junior Pierians organization. She was a member of the Lampasas County Retired Teachers Association and Delta Kappa Gamma sorority.
Mrs. Martin was an active member of First Baptist Church. She also volunteered regularly for many years with the Lampasas Mission Food Pantry. In addition, she was a member of the Thursday Luncheon Club.
She and her husband, along with their best friends and colleagues Pat and Bonnie Millican, were named Spring Ho Grand Parade marshals in 2012.
Mrs. Martin is survived by her husband of more than 57 years, Mike; son, Ben Martin; several nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents, Myrtle and R.B. Richardson.
The family suggested that memorial donations in her name be sent to support The Library Foundation of Lampasas (201 S. Main, Lampasas), Lampasas Mission Food Pantry (P.O. Box 51, Lampasas) or the charity of one’s choice.
