Jimmie Stroud Martin Richardson

With the grace of a dove and the courage of an eagle Jimmie Stroud Martin Richardson passed through Heaven’s gate on Sunday, Jan. 13, 2008, at the age of 90 years young. She was the fifth child of Steve and Nannie Manning Stroud, born June 27, 1917, in Sour Lake, Texas.

Jimmie lived most of her young life as a sharecropper picking cotton across her beloved state of Texas with her family. She looked forward to Novembers, for then she could go to school until the new crops came in. She always said that “schoolin’ was easier than pickin’.” She knew that the only path out of poverty was education and she was an adamant believer in attending school. Jimmie had the distinction of holding two high school diplomas, King’s Highway High School on OSR and continuing on with an optional year at Franklin High School. She also attended Baldwin Business College in Bryan.

Jimmie married J.B. Martin and had two children, Becky and James. The Martins moved from Franklin to Hearne where Sue and Connie were born. Jimmie’s first business venture was renting a large old house in Hearne for her, J.B. and the kids for $7 a month and sub-renting a room for $4 a month. She had a “good head” for business and took pride in knowing the multiplication tables.

This strong, determined native Texan broke the barrier for women working outside the home by becoming a renowned Stanley Home Products dealer. She was always a room mother for her children, and later became Texas’ number one female insurance agent for Life and Casualty Insurance Co. Her career never replaced her love for her family, and her devotion to her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was the first to call when good news was to be shared and ended each evening with the phrase, “Good Night Irene.”

Even with work and children, there was never a soul who left her home without something to eat. There was always enough room at Jimmie’s table for one more. She embraced anyone who was in need. When Jimmie lost her eyesight she continued to see the world through her heart. She remained a productive and high-spirited woman. Her good sense of humor, her love for life, and her dedication to her family and friends will be missed but lives on in the memories of her loved ones. Anyone who encountered Jimmie during her last days on earth was amazed by her spirit, strength and courage.

Preceding Jimmie in death were her parents; husbands, J.B. Martin and Aubrey Richardson; brothers, Frank, Ervin, and Joe; and sisters, Marguerite and Bessie Mae.

She is survived by her sister, Aline Stroud Henderson of Austin; children, Becky and Gary Stewart of San Antonio, James Martin of Huntsville, Sue Martin of North Pole, Alaska, and Net and Connie Miller of Hearne. Jimmie also leaves behind her beloved grandchildren, Connie Sue, Sandra, Rhonda Kay, Margie, Little Becky, Gina, Sheila, Shanna and Eddie; and great-grandchildren, Ricky, Kenneth, Austin, Erin, Harrison, Lauren, Nicholas and Nathan.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2008, at Memorial Funeral Home in Hearne.