Martha Brummett Holt

Martha Brummett Holt, 92, of Pampa, passed away on her birthday on December 6, 2016 in Pampa. Services will be 2:00 PM Saturday, December 10, 2016, at Memory Gardens Mausoleum, with Joe Mabry of First Baptist Church, officiating. Burial will follow in Memory Gardens Cemetery under the direction of Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors. Martha was born December 6, 1924 in Clovis, New Mexico in a small three-room house near the Santa Fe Railroad shops where her father, J. W. “Ves” Brummett worked, and her mother Lora, cared for the home and children. The family later moved to Pampa where Martha graduated from Pampa High School in 1943, and her father eventually opened Brummett Furniture Upholstery and Repair Shop on Main Street. The whole family, now two daughters and two sons, worked in the shop and learned the trade well. Martha was baptized by Dr. C. Gordon Bayless, pastor of First Baptist Church in Pampa at the age of 11 and made First Baptist her lifelong church. In 1945, Martha married John Q. Holt, Jr. in San Marcos where he was stationed after serving at the Pampa Air Base where World War II pilots were trained. After the war, they returned to Pampa where they made their home for 70 years. Martha was involved in many community organizations including, president of Horace Mann Elementary P.T.A., president of the Top of Texas Girl Scout Council/Quivera Girl Scout Council, which awarded her a Woman of Distinction in 2007. She was a longtime member of the Pampa Rebekah Lodge 355 where she served as Noble Grand and District Deputy President. Martha was active in the Pampa High School Class of 1943 reunions. Martha leaves two daughters, Barbara Holt and Nancy Holt Cates; two grandsons, Andrew Cates and John Cates and wife Ruth; and three great grandchildren, Ty Cates, Elisabeth Cates and Maxine Cates. She was preceded in death by her husband, John Q. Holt, Jr.; her parents; two brothers, Bob Brummett and Lloyd Brummett; a sister, Margie Moore; and a son-in-law, Phil Cates. Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, PO Box 621, Pampa, Texas 79066-0621.