Martha Jo Dunks

1945 - 2024

On February 28, 2024, Martha Jo (Tucker) Dunks, mother, and "Granny", passed peacefully at the age of 78 after a lengthy and courageous battle with Alzheimer's. Martha was born on November 14, 1945, in Polk County, Texas, to Joe and Evelyn (McAllister) Tucker. She is preceded in death by her parents and her husband, James H. "Jimmy" Dunks. Martha and Jimmy were married 56 years before his passing in May of 2023.

As a mother, Martha was the ultimate cheerleader. She was fully engaged, supportive, and always full of advice such as "suck it up, buttercup," "deal with it," and "put your big girl/boy pants on." She didn't mess around! Granny and Papa's home was the absolute best place to be. She would cook anything they desired, even if they all wanted something different. She took them to swimming lessons, horse riding lessons, and taught them to feed the chickens and pull garden weeds like champs. Her son and daughter knew that when their kids acted up, "Granny Camp" was the best place to send them. A little time in the "blue chair" did them some good!

Martha was a master in the kitchen. She would have fed the world if she'd had time. Feeding people was her love language. She and her daughter spent many hours deconstructing meals they had shared all over the world. Her garden was always fruitful, and she could make herself sick on cherry tomatoes while tending that garden.

Friendships were sacred to Martha. She had many, and she was the best confidant a person could have. She and her friends had many names for their group such as the Birthday group, the Train group, the Garden Club, etc. It was really so they could have any reason to fellowship. Fellowship was essential for Martha and Jimmy and grew tremendously when they and several friends began Oak Hill United Methodist Church at their dining room table.

Martha will be missed every day by her daughter, Lisa and her husband Bart; son, James and his wife Melinda; grandchildren, Amanda Hodge (William), Bailey Dunks (Jesse Luker), Christopher Priest, Scott Davidson, and John Davidson; great-granddaughters, EmmaLee Jo Hodge and Katie Priest; her beloved dog Tippy; numerous extended family members and many, many friends.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, March 9, 2024, 11:00am, at Oak Hill United Methodist Church in Austin.

The family would like to thank the staff of The Watermark at South Park Meadows Memory Care as well as the nurses and caregivers with Suncrest Hospice for their loving care of Martha, especially Zoe who was her one constant during her battle with Alzheimer's. Donations may be made in Martha's name to www.alz.org.