Dr. Martha Ann Smith Whisenant PH.D. went to her permanent home with her Savior in Heaven on August 12, 2018. A career educator, Martha encouraged and empowered thousands of math students in her years of teaching at Mansfield and Burleson ISDs and the University of Texas at Arlington. She will be remembered as a loving wife, mother, sibling, grandmother and great-grandmother by her family. Always a strong Christian lady, she entered Heaven from her home in Matagorda, Texas surrounded by her comforting family after an extended courageous battle with cancer.

Martha was born May 16, 1942 in Forth Worth, Texas to Paul Samuel Smith and Melissa Evergreen Hudson Smith. She married the love of her life, Elmer Howard Whisenant on January 25, 1959. She graduated from Mansfield High School in three years in 1959. Martha continued her pursuit of education after her children were born, culmination in a PH.D. in Math from University of North Texas.

Martha is preceded in death by her parents, her brother Donald, sister-in-law Edweena Vass Smith, brother-in-law Marvin Clovis Whisenant, and her beloved canine Tootsie.

She is survived by her husband of 59 years, Elmer Howard Whisenant; her son Elmer Howard Whisenant, Jr.; daughter Darla Kathryne Whisenant; sister Nancy Ryan and brother-in-law Buddy; brother Clyde Smith and sister-in-law Becky Skinner Smith; granddaughters Janey Whisenant, Kara Whisenant Ingram, Heidi Whisenant Ingram, and Keli Whisenant; grandson Brad Whisenant; great-grandchildren Jewelie, Mia, Caleb, Jayde, Adalynn, Dominic, Bjorn, Magnus, Donovan, Michael, Vincent, Sullivan, Kyli and Elijah; numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and friends. Also her dog Mindy who offered loving companionship during her sickness.

Visitation will be 1:00-2:00pm Wednesday August 15, 2018 at Taylor Bros. Funeral Home in Bay City, Texas. Services will follow visitation at 2:00pm. with Pastors Ed Matthews and Mitch Sauls officiating.  Interment will follow at Historical Matagorda Cemetery in Matagorda, Texas.