Francis Martinson

Our Mother - Don't know how God decides who gets what mother but he picked a really special one for the three Martinson kids when he gave us Francis Martinson. For seventy-six years since the first one was born till she drew her last breath she has been inspirational, supportive, fiercely loyal, and a true role model to all her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.\r\n\r\nLove was something Mother understood. One look at her face any time she looked at one of her children or their offspring radiated love. Those of us who knew her understood that look was pride, that this offspring was some part of her.\r\n\r\nMany people have bumps in their road of life but Mother had many more than most. She and all of her siblings (7girls and 2 boys) experienced the Great Depression, World War ll and many hard times. Stricken two times with Polio and having one leg an inch shorter than the other she handled it with grace and accepted the challenges it brought. In high school in Dallas, Texas she excelled in volleyball and basketball and loved sports.\r\n\r\nShortly after marrying Harold Martinson they moved to Austin, Texas where he served the University of Texas for 37 years. After many years of saving they were able to buy property in the country where they made a wonderful home for themselves and their children for 53 years. Mother loved the birds, the deer, trees, flowers and her sunroom.\r\n\r\nAs a perfectionist in everything she did Mother was first a mother and housewife even so she was an artist, small business owner, bookkeeper, competition dancer, and secretary. Some of Mother's gift designs found their way to Tiffany's in New York, City and many sold in Colorado resort towns.\r\n\r\nUnflinching and fighting till her last breath a very special, loving person breathed her last on February 15, 2021, 10 days after she turned 96.\r\n\r\nSurvived by sons, Mike Martinson and wife, Karon of Throckmorton, Texas, and David Martinson and wife, Jo of Fayetteville, Arkansas; daughter, Carol Floyd and husband, Charles of Kerrville, Texas; grandchildren, Shari Floyd Adwers and husband, Ryan of Berryville, Virginia, Charles Mathew Floyd of San Antonio, Texas, Lindsay Martinson Vester and husband, Brad of Fayetteville, Arkansas, Kristen Martinson of Costa Mesa, California, Amanda Martinson Boxman and husband, Dave of Memphis, Tennessee, Tiffany Martinson Dye and husband, Bryce of Albany, Texas, Mikel Martinson of Arlington, Texas, and Cole Martinson of Lubbock, Texas; and great-granddaughters, Cadence Floyd of San Antonio, Texas, London Dye of Albany, Texas, and Tabitha Boxman of Memphis, Tennessee; sister Dorothy Gharis of Garland, Texas; and numerous nieces and nephews.\r\n\r\nShe was preceded in death by her husband, Harold Avery Martinson of Austin, Texas; her parents, Alex and Lora Collins of Dallas, Texas; five sisters, Nell Collins, Pauline Dalton, Anna Mae Himel, Martha Wall, and Ruth Blackburn; and; two brothers, Buddy Collins and Bill Collins.\r\n\r\nIn lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Scottish Rite Hospital Dallas, Texas, or St. Jude's Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee.\r\n\r\nAll her family is thankful for every precious moment we had her in our lives. She showed us the path now it is up to us to follow it. Mother just like you, we all love you now and forever with all we have.\r\n\r\nGraveside services will be held at 11 AM, Thursday, February 25, 2021 at Austin Memorial Park, Austin, TX.