Susan "Susie" Hammond Martin

On September 20, 2024, Susie Hammond Martin died of exhaustion from too much laughter, rearing of two girls, enjoying two granddaughters, loving her husband for 59 years, numerous board positions, leadership roles, playing bridge, and of gratefulness for life’s blessings. We have lost a beautiful and caring woman.

Susie was born July 6, 1940 in San Antonio, Texas to Thelma Vandever Hammond and Weldon Woolf Hammond. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Dr. Weldon Woolf Hammond. She is survived by her husband, James (Jim) Martin, her daughters, Andrea Martin Propes, and husband Richard, Alyson Martin Prevost and husband, Paco, her granddaughters, Kaitlin Taylor Propes and Elizabeth Vandever Propes, her sister-in-law, Linda Cowden Hammond and numerous nieces and nephews.

Susie was a lifetime resident of San Antonio and graduated from Alamo Heights High School. She lived with her family in her childhood home in Terrell Hills for over 50 years. She was a graduate of The University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor of Business Administration. At the University she was a member of Zeta Tau Alpha sorority and was elected Sweetheart of the UT Business School. Susie also attended the College of the Americas in Mexico City and did graduate work at Trinity University. After graduating from UT, she pursued a career in retailing and was a buyer for Sanger Harris in Dallas. After her father’s untimely death, she returned to San Antonio and taught 5th grade at Forbes Elementary for three years.

She married her loving mate for life, James Neal Martin in August 1965 in San Antonio, Texas, and her priority became their beautiful family. Susie was forever grateful to our Lord Jesus Christ for the many blessings in her life. Jim and Susie are faithful members of Christ Episcopal Church.

Susie was an example of dedicated community service and leadership reaching out to all facets of San Antonio. She was undaunted by the time required for her many volunteer efforts. Susie had the unique ability to make things FUN through humor, creativity, commitment and enormous energy. She was as nice as she was talented-a woman who was diplomatic, innovative and spirited with exuberance for life in all she did. Susie was given a sense of style, class, and décor as seen in her home, her mannerisms and in her dress.

Jim and Susie recently built a beach house in Port Aransas that became a challenging experience for them in their “golden years.” They both enjoyed time with their family at the coast sharing many happy holidays together. JJ, their precious chiweenie dog, spent many hours walking with them on the beach.

Those who knew Susie were surprised at her knowledge of sports. Sports statistics were her specialty whether it was collegiate or professional. She and Jim had season tickets to both the University of Texas football games and the San Antonio Spurs, and rarely missed a game.

Susie was a member of many civic and social organizations throughout her lifetime. In The Battle of Flowers Association, Susie served as President, Parade Chair, and Band Festival Chair. She served as President of the Military Civilian Club, Order of the Cascaron, Los Festivos and the Forum Club. She also enjoyed memberships in The Charity Ball Association, The Fenwick Club, Lantana Garden Club, The Argyle and Club Giraud. Susie served on the San Antonio Public Library Foundation Board and San Antonio Botanical Garden Center Board for a number of years. Susie served on the Fiesta San Antonio Commission delegation to the Canary Island to celebrate Carnival in 2001. She was honored by the Junior League of San Antonio as their Volunteer Extraordinaire of 2012.

The greatest joy later in life was her two granddaughters, Kaitlin and Lizzie, who affectionately called her “ZyZy.” They loved her dearly and their time with her was special and cherished.

We love you forever, ZYZY! Rest in Peace.

The family wishes to express their appreciation to the clergy of Christ Episcopal Church, The Reverend Dr. Patrick Gahan, Bishop Gary Lillibridge, Scott Kitayama, Justin Lindstrom, Associate Rectors and Karen Von Der Bruegge, Director of Pastoral Care.

The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Heberto Garza and Dr. Georgia McCann for their dedicated healthcare.

Honorary Pallbearers: Charlynn Doering (Austin), Dorothea Gibbs (Florida), Eleanor O’Gorman, Liz O’Neill, Jane McFarlane, Suzanne Castle, Marion Bell, Molly Webster, Doddie Furrh, and the Tuesday Bridge Club (Jerre Adams, Rose Marie Banack, Valerie Guenther, Linda Hammond, Marcia Harris, Sally Juvenal and Pat Orme).

The family would also like to express their special thanks to Angela, Roberto, and Carmen.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Christ Episcopal Church of San Antonio, The Battle of Flowers Association, The Charity Ball Association, SNIPSA (animal rescue organization) or to the charity of your choice.

A Memorial Service to celebrate Susie’s life will be held at Christ Episcopal Church on Friday, October 4th at 11:00 am. A private burial service for family members will be at Sunset Memorial Park.