Martha Kathryn Dillard

1934 - 2019

Martha Kathryn (Austin) Dillard, 85, formally of Cross Plains, Texas passed away on Sunday, November 17, 2019 in Abilene, Texas surrounded by her family.

Funeral service will be held Wednesday, November 20, at 10:00 AM at Higginbotham Funeral Home Chapel in Cross Plains, Texas with Max Evens officiating and Connie Kirkham assisting. Burial will follow at Cross Plains Memorial Park. The family will have a time of visitation Tuesday, November 19 from 5:00-7:00 pm at Higginbotham Funeral Home in Cross Plains, Texas.

Martha was the first child of Joseph Garland Austin, Sr. and Zelna Claudia (Lofland) Austin. She was born on February 9, 1934, at Hendrick Hospital in Abilene, Texas.

Martha graduated from Cross Plains High School in 1952. She married her high school sweetheart, N. L. Dillard, June 1953 in Kermit, Texas. They were married for 56 years and made their home in Cross Plains.

Martha was a devoted homemaker, loving mother and grandmother. She said she prayed for each of her children and grandchildren every day. She was a 'Perfectionist' seamstress and loved to cook. She prepared many loves of fresh baked bread, desserts and home-canned foods for many people and church events. Martha enjoyed growing beautiful flowers and plants at their home, as well as helping her son, Tim in his floral shop for over 36 years.

Martha was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Cross Plains, where she served on many committees and enjoyed singing in the church choir for many years. She was a member of the Central Texas conference Emmaus Community.

Martha was preceded in death by her husband, N. L. Dillard, parents, brother, Joseph Garland Austin, Jr., and son-in-law, Leon Nixon.

Martha is survived by her loving son and devoted caregiver, Timmy Wade Dillard; son, Donnie Neal Dillard and wife, Barbara; daughter, Terry Gail (Dillard) Nixon and fiance, David Sliger; six grandchildren, Lori (Dillard) Snow and husband Troy; Donnie Dillard Jr. and wife, Taylor; Amanda (Dillard) Hagler and husband, Chris; Joseph Dillard and fiance, Chante Westmoreland; Samuel Nixon and wife, Angela and her loving namesake Sarah Kathryn Nixon; eleven great-grandchildren and sister, Sarah Austin.