Martha Elizabeth Smith Margrave

Martha Elizabeth Smith Margrave was born on August 13, 1926, to Elmer W. & Irene Chrisp Smith, in Little Rock, Ark. She was a graduate of Little Rock High School and attended Little Rock Jr. College, where she met the love of her life, Fred Nicholas (Nick) Margrave, Jr. Her parents had always stressed the importance of a college education, so in 1948 Martha graduated with a BA degree in Home Economics from Arkansas State Teachers College. Days after their graduations, Martha and Nick married at Asbury Methodist Church in Little Rock. From that day on they devoted their family life to the local United Methodist Church. Adhering to the words of John Wesley ("Do all the good you can, By all the means you can, In all the ways you can, In all the places you can, At all the times you can, To all the people you can, As long as ever you can."), they lived long enough to see their faith passed on to great-grandchildren. Always in the center of Methodist activities, Martha served her churches' as Sunday School teacher, education director, member of the United Methodist Women, weekday preschool teacher, and as a lay delegate to the Little Rock Annual Conference. Of all the time that she devoted to the church, the work that she did as a lay member of the Board of Ordained Ministry was where she felt she made her most meaningful contribution. She touched the lives of many as she taught Home Economics at Camden High School. Over her teaching career, many changes occurred, and she was very encouraged when male students begin to show up in her classroom. She was always touched when former students reached out to her on Facebook. She made virtually every garment their three daughters wore and enjoyed quilting, knitting, and teaching her grandchildren to sew. Her faith never wavered even as she endured the death of her cherished youngest daughter, Susan Elizabeth Margrave Bonner; her adored eldest grandchild, Charles Patrick (Chuck) Weber, MD; and her loving son-by-marriage, Patrick Lowry Weber, MD. Her brothers and their wives, Mr. & Mrs. Elmer W. Smith, Jr, and Mr. & Mrs. Edward F. Smith, Sr., and her brother-in-law, W.A. (Buddy) Margrave, Sr. also went before her. After 70 years of marriage, her beloved Nick graced her with an answer to prayer when he preceded her in death by four months. She leaves the following legacy of love: From Texarkana, Texas, daughter, Mary Katherine Margrave Weber; grandchildren, Katherine Weber (Texarkana), and Dr. Michael Andrew (Drew) & Mary Elizabeth Weber (Tyler, Texas); great-grandchildren, Evelyn, Jackson, & Martha Patterson and Chuck, Smith, & Andrew Weber. From Nashville, TN, daughter and son-in-law, Marti Margrave & Fred Artibee; grandchildren, Jamey and Jen Campbell-Girten (Gallatin, Tenn.), Becca & Quentin Watkins (Raleigh, N.C.), Madeline & Staša Artibee-Bakliža (Urbana, Ill.), and Kate & Nick Artibee-Smallwood (Oakland, Calif.); great-grandchildren, Mason & Miller Campbell & Tenny Smallwood. From Denton, Texas, grandchildren Anna & Preston Fuqua, great-grandchildren Elizabeth & Sadie Fuqua. From Shreveport, La, Tiffany & Stephen Bell and Charlie, Kate, & Samantha Bell. From Little Rock, Mrs. W.A. Margrave, Sr. In addition, she was loved by nieces, nephews, and four generations of friends. To quote her Croatian friends, "We believe that her presence will continue as long as there are people that knew her, respected her and loved her." The family would like to thank Vi Garnett for her years of tireless devotion; and Angela Griffin, Dela Hill, Sally Ferguson, and Hospice of Texarkana, for the gentle, loving care that allowed our mother to remain at home. In lieu of flowers, and in honor of her love for children and her passion for family, we humbly request contributions to Opportunities, Inc. at 6101 N. State Line, Texarkana, Texas, 75503 or to TEAMMERCY.org at 1079 W. Round Grove Rd, Suite 200-504, Lewisville, Texas, 75067. A celebration of a life well lived will be held on Thursday, Jan. 11, at 10 a.m., First United Methodist Church, 400 E 6th, Texarkana, Ark., with the guidance of Rev. Jaimie Alexander. A worshipful graveside service will be held Thursday afternoon at 2 p.m. at Crestview Memorial Park in Hot Springs, Ark., with the guidance of Rev. David Wilson. Both services are under the direction of Gross Funeral Home of Hot Springs.