Martha Fontenot

Martha Josephine Fontenot was born on January 12, 1941, in Vine Grove, Kentucky. The second of four children of George and Mattie Leonard, she was raised in the thrift and rationing of World War II. Despite their poverty, the Leonards sacrificed to ensure their children received a proper education. Upon graduation from high school Martha attended Bellarmine College in Louisville, and was the first member of her family to receive a university degree. She majored in education with a minor in vocal performance, two talents she would spend the rest of her life sharing as both a vocation and a hobby.

Martha’s life would change forever the day she was introduced to a tall, handsome Army officer named Russell Fontenot, a native of Lake Charles, Louisiana. For each it was a clear case of love at first sight. After a whirlwind courtship they were married on July 31, 1965 – by the very same pastor who had arranged their first date.

The newlyweds relocated to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where Russell earned a law degree from LSU. He passed the Louisiana Bar in 1969, and, after a brief stint in private practice, re-enlisted in the Army as a member of the JAG Corps.

Martha and Russell lived the adventurous life of an Army family. They raised four children while undergoing the ritual of relocating every three years. Among the places they called home were Virginia, Indiana, Germany, North Carolina, California, and Texas.

Fort Bliss, Texas proved to be Russell’s final duty station, and the family settled down for many years in El Paso. During most of this time, Martha continued her vocation as a grade school teacher, earning a master’s degree in special education at UT El Paso. Martha and Russell also ensured that each of their children had an opportunity for a thorough education.

Martha and Russell retired and relocated in 2006 to Cedar Park, Texas. Both husband and wife became deeply interested in the subject of genealogy, tracing their respective familial lines through 200 years of American history.

The couple celebrated their fiftieth wedding anniversary in 2015. Joy turned to sorrow when Russell passed away three years later after a long battle with cancer. Martha devoted her remaining time to her children and grandchildren. She fought her own battle with cancer with courage and dignity, and slipped quietly away on September 28, 2022.

She is survived by her daughter, Tracey Fontenot; daughter, Jolie Fontenot; son, David Fontenot; son, Corey Fontenot and wife Donna; and grandchildren Ashe, Isaac, and Cora. Funeral services will be held at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church in Cedar Park on October 18 at 10:00 A.M. Burial will follow at Central Texas State Veterans' Cemetery in Killeen.