At age 79, Martha K. Hemphill passed from this life February 22, 2009 in Chandler, Texas and is now with the angels in Heaven.

Memorial services will be Saturday, February 28, at the First United Methodist Church, 507 N. Broad St, Chandler. Visitation with family, 1:00-2:00; Memorial service, 2:00.

Martha was born May 3, 1929 in Iowa Park, Texas to Colmer Clarence and Bonnie Estelle Hudson. She graduated from Iowa Park High School then attended North Texas State University, Denton, Texas, where she earned her accounting degree. She worked for Ford Motor Company and then was executive secretary for A.C. Horn & Company in Dallas for 12 years where she met the love of her life, Jim Hemphill. After retiring 29 years ago, she and Jim moved to the mountains of Colorado and could tell stories of their adventures for hours. In 1994 they moved back to Texas to live on Lake Palestine in Chandler, Texas, where they enjoyed fishing, boating and having family and friends visit.

Martha lived a very active life and God gave her a jumpstart every morning when the sunrise shimmered across the lake. Wherever she lived Martha was active in local charities and always there to help people. She was a member of The First United Methodist Church, Chandler. She belonged to The Red Hats, United Methodist Women, Newcomers Club of Tyler, The Order of the Eastern Star, and Bridge Club. She and Jim were also active with the Lions Club. She was very dedicated to helping the God's Open Hands Thrift Shop, and numerous other organizations.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband James E. (Jim) Hemphill; son Benny Hemphill; and her parents.

Survivors include her daughter, Tara (Cranford) Rautenkranz, daughter-in-law Rena Hemphill Bennett and her husband Phil Bennett; son and daughter-in-law Danny and Sharon Hemphill; grandchildren, Victoria, Douglas Jr., Alexandria, Marie and Nicole Rautenkranz, Todd Hemphill, Julie Hemphill, Clint Hemphill and Christina Matthews; and 7 great-grandchildren with one on the way.

Memorial donations, if desired, may be made to God's Open Hands, c/o Pat Martin, 526 Susie St., Chandler, TX 75758, a charitable organization to feed and clothe local needy families.