1934-2024

Martha Nell Samuels McAllister, 89, formerly of Terrell, passed away surrounded by her loving family on August 25, 2024. Martha was born in Terrell, to Tessie Marie and Dewey Samuels in 1934. She was raised on the farm and had two sisters (Dorothy and Mary) and one brother (Dewey). Martha was the last remaining member of her immediate family. She is survived by her two daughters Kathleen Adams and her husband Matt Adams and Teresa Alden and her husband Curtis Alden.

Martha attended Terrell High School and was a cheerleader and graduated in the National Honor Society. Then, Martha graduated cum laude from the University of Texas at Austin in home economics. She met Jerry McAllister at UT and they were married in 1958. As Jerry was working towards his OD, Martha demonstrated new gas appliances to wholesalers and the general public through Houston Lighting and Power. Martha loved entertaining and was an excellent chef. She and Jerry threw numerous parties for family and friends over the years.

Martha was a Girl Scout leader with her close friend and cultivated a love for camping in her two girls. Martha and Jerry took the girls on multiple camping trips through much of the mid and western states and as far north as Canada.

As Martha and Jerry’s love for travel grew so did their itineraries. They would visit all seven continents and circumnavigate the globe multiple times.

Martha was gifted with a tremendous capacity for love. She always believed in her family and encouraged them. That singular trait will be missed most.

Services for Recitation of the Rosary for Martha were held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, September 6, 2024, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m., with services to be held St. John the Apostle church in Terrell, with interment to follow at Oakland Memorial Park. The family received friends from 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 5, 2024, at Max Slayton Funeral Chapel.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made in Martha’s honor to St. Jude’s Research Hospital at https://www.stjude.org/donate/.