Martha Lou Donham

Martha Lou Mahurin Donham passed from this life on October 20, 2025, at the age of 84. She was born January 25, 1941, in Jefferson, Marion County, Texas to John Herbert, Sr. and Lou Ella Mahurin. Martha graduated from Kilgore High School in 1959. She was a National Honor Student and was awarded the Max Daiches Award for Outstanding musical student for flute and piccolo. She attended Kilgore Junior College and received her master's degree in education at Abilene Christian College. She taught band for several years and then switched to teaching math for the remainder of her career before retiring from Sweetwater Middle School in 2000. While attending ACC, she met her roommate's brother- Leon. They both were devoted members of the Church of Christ. They married in July 1966 and had 2 daughters- Beth and Bonnie. The family lived in Rotan until 1978 when Leon's job transferred him to Sweetwater. Leon and Martha both served in many capacities at 4th and Elm Church of Christ in Sweetwater and loved serving the church, the community, as well as on mission trips to teach others about the love of God. Martha is survived by her loving husband, Leon; Daughters Beth Niedert and Bonnie Smola husband Richard; 5 grandchildren- Luther Garcia, Zach Garcia, Abby Garcia, Rylee Niedert, and Caleb Niedert; and 3 greatgrandchildren- Allie Jo Palacios, Niko Palalcios, and Remelie Olguin. She is also survived by her 2 sisters Julie Nixon of Austin, Texas: Betty Baker (Jimmy) of Kilgore and 1 brother John Hebert Mahurin, Jr (Jan) of Longview. She was preceded in death by her parents, Herb and Lou Ella Mahurin. Services for Martha will be Saturday October 25, 2025, at 1 p.m. at the 4th & Elm Church of Christ in Sweetwater, Texas.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.mccoyfh.com.