Martha Bundy McPherson

Mrs. Martha Bundy McPherson, age 103, died peacefully on July 30, 2017 in her Austin home, where she had resided with her husband, the Reverend Benjamin Carroll McPherson, since 1942. She was the second of four siblings, including the late Elizabeth Harding Bundy Wade, Jane Bundy Halfrish Guyton, and Stanton Schofield Bundy, Jr. Rev. McPherson pre-deceased her in April 2011 at age 101. Her loving family was with her at the end of her life.

On June 2, 1914, Alice Harding and Stanton Schofield Bundy welcomed a beautiful red-headed baby girl into the world. After a few days in San Antonio, Martha and her parents returned to the Bundy Ranch between Junction and Sonora, Texas. Thus began her life-long affection with her Texas ranch home where she enjoyed a very happy and active life. She was a great horsewoman, riding her horse Pegasus with her sister Betty to a one-room school house, and winning $25 at a quarter-horse race in Junction. She enjoyed helping her father with his Rambouillet sheep, Angora goats, and Hereford cattle. Throughout her life, she delighted in telling stories about life on the ranch.

Martha spent her high school years in San Antonio living with her grandparents and returning to the ranch for holidays and summers. She graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in 1932, and then attended business school in Philadelphia, where she lived with her sister Betty and husband Al Wade. After moving to Austin, she began working for then Representative Coke Stevenson, a neighboring rancher and family friend. During this time, she met her husband-to-be, Benjamin Carroll McPherson, and following a brief courtship, they were married on the Bundy Ranch in 1936 and then moved to Austin. During their 76 years of marriage, Martha was a devoted, dedicated, and energetic wife and mother.

Martha enjoyed being a member of two sewing clubs started in the late 1930s. She is a sustaining member of the Junior League of Austin, having participated in volunteer community projects.

Martha McPherson is survived by her son, Benjamin Carroll McPherson and wife Marie; her daughter, Mary Polk and husband James H. Polk; and her five granddaughters, Jennifer Carroll McPherson, Sarah Harding McPherson Bowland, Alice Bundy McPherson Pierce, Molly Harding Polk, and Annie McPherson Polk. She was blessed with nine great grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren. Martha adored her nieces and nephews, Louis Wade, Martha Jane Wade Engel, Stanton Bundy, Dick Bundy, and Lucy Jones, and her very special friends, Coke Reed and wife Sylvia.

Martha was grateful for the enduring and loyal friendship of Hermelinda Sarellano. Martha and her family extend their sincere appreciation to Jovita Rangel and Beverly Simmons of Nurses Case Management for their thoughtful and kind caregiving for the last four years.

Following a family graveside service at Austin Memorial Park Cemetery, there will be a memorial service at 1:00 PM on Monday, August 7, 2017 at the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, 3201 Windsor Rd., in Austin with the Rev. Stanford Adams officiating. There will be a reception in the church Parish Hall after the service.

Memorial contributions in Martha's name can be made to the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, Hospice Austin, or Drive A Senior - West Austin.