Martha Frances

Martha Frances née Collins, 73 years old, transitioned to her next life on the 16th of February, 2020 in Houston, Texas. She studied music and English at the University of North Texas and was an English teacher for decades in both the public schools and the community college system, and she had a Master’s in English from the University of Houston, as well as a Master’s of Religious Education from the University of St. Thomas.

However, she finally followed her calling to become an Episcopal priest later in adulthood. After attending Perkins Theological Institute and the Seminary of the Southwest in Austin and serving at St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital in Houston, she was the director of Lord of the Streets (a mission for the homeless in midtown Houston) and ultimately became the rector of Hope Episcopal Church in northwest Houston. Later she was the president of the board at Brigid’s Place at the cathedral in Houston.

She was preceded in death by her husband Kenneth McBeth, Sr. and William L. Auvenshine, as well as her brother David Bailey Collins. She has left behind her son Ken M. Knowles and his wife Miriam and their daughter Philomena of Munich, Germany, as well as Michael Knowles and his wife Sara, their daughters Amelia and Violet, and son Benjamin of Houston. Additionally, she has left behind her sister Elise Collins Shields of Tuscon, Arizona and her family, as well as the beloved family of her late husbands. Her best friends Sheila Gerth and Kaye Gilmore of Houston were at her side for the better part of fifty years. Martha came from a long line of strong women including her mother Frances Bailey and her mother-in-law Mildred Adams.

Her funeral will be March 7th at 2:00 at Christ Church Cathedral, 1117 Texas Ave, Houston, TX 77002

In lieu of flowers, donations in the name of Martha Frances can be made to :

http://www.brigidsplace.org/give/

Or

https://rivendellcommunity.wordpress.com/