Billie Maxine Gallman Martin's Obituary
Billie Maxine Gallman Martin
Billie Maxine Gallman Martin was born in Burkburnett, Texas on November 9, 1921 to James Robert Gallman and Eva Leota James Gallman and passed away on September 15, 2015. Services are under the direction of Rader Funeral Home in Longview, Texas and will be at the First United Methodist Church, Hallsville, Texas on Thursday, September 17, 2015 at 4:00 pm., with the Reverends Shinia Kelsey and Brian Brooks officiating. Interment will follow in Memory Park in Longview
Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 pm. Wednesday at the funeral home.
She graduated from Pine Tree High School as valedictorian and graduated college from East Texas State University in Commerce where she received her undergraduate degree with honors and her graduate degree in education.
She began an exemplary teaching career in south Texas and moved to Hallsville, Texas where she began a lifelong career in the Hallsville Schools that lasted 48 years. She taught high school English and then moved on to the fourth grade where she remained for many years before becoming the first female principal for the Hallsville School District and served in this role for over 20 years until her retirement in 1994. Upon retirement, the school district honored her by naming the Billie Martin Academic Award that is presented to all students who make all A’s through the sixth grade. Recently the city of Hallsville named the street in front of the new North Elementary, Billie Martin Boulevard. Her impact on the education of thousands of students in Hallsville will never be forgotten. She was the last surviving charter member of the Order of Eastern Star, Chapter 995, in Hallsville.
But when she retired, sitting down was not in her plan. She joined three quilt clubs and began a new career making quilts for her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She made many new friends who were a delight to her.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Verlon D. Martin, brother James Robert Gallman Jr., and sister Dr. Ruth LaVerne Gallman, and granddaughter Jena R. Stapp. Those left to cherish her memory are three daughters, Dr. Pam Martin, Debbie Cline (Jim), Denise Plummer (David), three grandchildren Joshua Stapp (Carey), Zach Buie (Mackenzie), and Kati Buie, and Robert Cline (Brenna), and five great-grandchildren Trevor, Colynn, Isabella, Ellie, Hudson and Weston Martin who will join the family in December.
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations in her memory be made to the First United Methodist Church, PO Box 365, Hallsville, Texas 75650 or to the Hallsville Independent School District Education Foundation, PO Box 810, 300 Willow St., Hallsville, TX 75650.
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