Martha Ann Parker

Martha Ann Parker, 87, of Houston, Texas was called peacefully to her eternal home on March 5, 2024.

Born on November 6, 1936, to James and Macy Walker in Sugar Land, Texas, Martha was raised in Eagle Lake, Texas where she and her family were very involved in the local Baptist church. Martha joins in Heaven her parents, her sister, Mary Dearing, brother, John Walker, and husband Larry Parker. She will be deeply missed by her son, Trent Hair, daughter, Kelly Gratzer (Steve), and Haley and Christian Gratzer, her niece, Susan Johnson and daughter, Tiffany Cannedy, nephew Ralph Dearing (Diana), niece Cheryl Reiss (Mike), nephew James Ray and many other beloved nieces and nephews.

Martha was a proud graduate of the class of 1955 of Eagle Lake High School and kept in touch with classmates all her life. For all who knew Martha, her smile, hospitality, laughter, and hugs, were constant sources of encouragement. After graduation, she headed to Wharton Junior College where she met her husband, Henry Hair. They were married January 25, 1958, and together they lived and worked in Beaumont and in Angleton where their son, Trent, was born. In 1965 they moved to Springfield, Illinois where their daughter, Kelly, was born before they made their home in Houston, Texas in Champions in 1968.

Martha was an active member of the Champions community, and a fabulous party hostess, regularly entertaining friends and family and always setting an extra place at the table, as "more was merrier" in her eyes. She was Vice President of the Champions Women's Club and served on various club committees through the years. Not only did Martha invest her time locally, but also in the broader Houston community with involvement in the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Western Art Committee. Additionally, she enjoyed playing golf, bridge, traveling, and during the summer, spending time water skiing with family and friends.

Many good times and friends were also shared through her dress shop, Marthann's, which she opened in Champions. Martha always had an eye for fashion from a young age, which began with her mother sewing custom clothes for her. A highlight every year that Martha looked forward to was a trip to the apparel market to buy for the shop in order to assist her customers and friends with just the right outfits for their special occasions. Martha treasured all her friendships, especially with Jani Wheelock, who not only assisted her with decorating the shop, but also her personal homes, especially at Christmas time.

Upon her marriage to Larry Parker and a move to a new home in Champions Forest, a fun part of her life was playing on the Raveneaux Tennis team with her partner, Barbara Burch. Martha may not have won a lot of trophies, but she always took the prize for having the best time!

Martha was proud of her family, and their home was filled with cherished memories. She was involved and supportive on every level of her children's lives, from filming Trent's little league football games, so five-year-olds could come watch the game film, to sewing costumes for Kelly's dance recitals at Jones Hall. Even as her children grew up, she continued to be engaged in their lives and activities. Trent played football at Sam Houston State University which was just close enough for Martha to jump in her car at a moment's notice to bring Trent anything he needed from a home-cooked meal to extra clothes. Kelly headed to The University of Texas where Martha cheered on the Longhorns with her and was a wonderful ZTA sorority mom. The kid's

friends were always welcome at their home, where Martha greeted them with a smile, a warm hug, and treated them as her own.

Martha was amazingly strong as she battled Alzheimer's for approximately 15 years. The family would like extend special thanks to the staff at Autumn Leaves Memory Care of Cypresswood and Choice Hospice for their special care of her.

The Celebration of Life will be held at 10:00 am at Klein Funeral Home on Thursday, March 14, 2024 .

Klein Funeral Home

16131 Champions Forest Drive

Spring, Texas 77379

https://www.kleinfh.com

Memorial contributions can be made to The Alzheimer's Association of Houston and Southeast Texas Chapter.