Funeral services for Martha Etta Adams Gandy, age 94, of Conroe will be held on Tuesday February 21st, 2023 at 2:00 PM in Cashner Colonial Chapel with Jeff Berger officiating. Visitation is scheduled for Monday February 20, 2023 from 5:30 pm to 7:30pm at Cashner Funeral Home.
Mrs. Gandy was born September 1st, 1928 in Anderson County (Palestine) Texas. She passed away on Friday February 17th, 2023 in Paris, Texas where both of her children currently live. She was preceded in death by her husband, William Harley Gandy and her parents Thomas Jefferson Adams and LuDelle Adams.
Martha leaves behind her daughter Susan Gandy Davis and her husband Jim of Paris, Texas; her son William (Bill) Gandy and wife Lisa of Paris, Texas. Three grandchildren Laura Davis Barbier and her husband Michael of Katy, Texas; Bryan Davis and wife Kelsey of Pearland, Texas and Sarah Gandy Clark and husband Steven of Conway, Arkansas. Four Great-grandchildren Kyle Barbier and Charlotte Barbier of Katy, Texas and Walker Davis and Barrett Davis of Pearland, Texas.
Martha was raised initially in Anderson County, Texas where her paternal grandparents lived. She attended kindergarten and first grade at Montalba school. In the mid 1930’s, Martha’s family moved to Conroe Texas and she attended Conroe Public schools, graduating from Conroe High School in 1945.
At the age of 11, Martha accepted Jesus Christ as her Savior and was a life-long member of First Baptist Church Conroe. She based her life choices on her Christian faith and biblical guides. For several years she shared her beliefs in the children’s Sunday school program at First Baptist Church.
In 1945, Martha began her college career at the University of Texas in Austin Texas. While at UT Martha tutored future actor Fess Parker of “Davy Crockett” fame. “Hook’em”! She graduated from UT with a bachelor’s of Arts in Education and began her professional career as an educator, teaching her first two years at Klein School in Klein, Texas.
Her third year Martha moved to Conroe Public Schools and began teaching at Travis Junior High. In 1952, while at Travis, she met fellow teacher, Harley Gandy, who would become her future husband. Martha taught many subjects while at Travis including spelling and writing, but the majority of her career was spent teaching 8th grade American History.
Martha and Harley married on June 6th, 1953 in Conroe. Their love lasted almost 58 years until Harley’s death in January 2011. Their life together included raising two children, traveling across America with friends and family and then sharing their adventures with their students in Conroe for almost 40 years.
Martha was a true Southern lady full of southern charm. Quiet, soft spoken, but could come out with some “zingers” that would catch her family off guard and send them into fits of laughter. She was an encourager, always seeing the best in people and situations. Her famous words of wisdom to all who would listen “Be diplomatic! Always be diplomatic!”
History and love of country and community were very important to Martha. She was a charter member of the Margaret Montgomery Chapter of the NSDAR. She was also a founding/charter member of the Judge Nathaniel Hart Davis Chapter of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas. She served as Regent/President in both of these groups and was always an active participant in their community historical projects.
Martha assisted her husband with research on family ancestry or research on local historical projects. She was instrumental in the preparation and opening of several museums in Conroe and Montgomery. She helped obtain the historical marker at the New Bethlehem Cemetery in Cut and Shoot, Texas and the historical Marker at her maternal grandparents home, the Addison-Gandy home in Montgomery, Texas.
Pallbearers of the service will be Bryan Davis, Grandson, Michael Barbier, Grandson-in-law, Steven Clark, grandson-in-law, Eddie Monroe, Spencer Monroe, Kelly Barber. Honorary Pallbearers are Herman Monroe, Duke Proctor, and Robert Rabuck.
Memorial Donations may be made to New Bethlehem Cemetery Assoc, P.O. Box 7232; Cut and Shoot, TX 77306, Montgomery Historical Society P.O. Box 513; Montgomery, TX 77356 or the previously mentioned DAR & DRT groups.
