Martha Herod

The City of Navasota lost a leader and the First Baptist Church lost a devoted member early Monday morning when Martha Chambers Herod, 79, passed away at the nursing home where she had been a patient for some time. She remained an avid Bible student until her death.
Martha was born on August 14, 1927 in Kosse, the daughter of William Stanley and Iva Dell Hill Chambers. Because of her father's work as a railroad man, the family traveled over the state during her school days and she attended many schools. She spent her senior year of high school in Harlingen but graduated from Incarnate Word in San Antonio. She attended The University of Mary-Hardin Baylor where she majored in English literature and later served on the University's Board of Regents for nine years.
Martha, with her husband Bill, was a long-time Navasota resident. Both were extremely active in First Baptist Church where she served as a Sunday School teacher and held many other posts over the years. She had a particular interest in the church's mission work as well as in the field of religious education.
The Herods were world travelers, visiting England many times because of Martha's interest in the literature and history of that country. The couple visited the Baltic nations, Turkey, China and the Soviet Republics during their travels.
She is survived by her husband, Bill E. Herod of Navasota, daughters and son-in-law, Lyn Herod of Garland, Melisa and Bill Callahan of Houston, son and daughter-in-law, Mark and Anne Herod of New Braunfels. She is survived as well by five grandchildren, Clint Herod, Clay Herod, Amy Callahan, Megan Callahan, Cody Callahan.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother, William Stanley Chambers, Jr., and a grandson, William Kurt Callahan.
Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday at First Baptist Church of Navasota under the direction of Nobles Funeral Home, Navasota. Interment will be in Oakland Cemetery, Navasota.
Serving as pallbearers will be B. J. Gruner of Navasota, Elmer Kramer of Stonewall, Joe King Fultz of Navasota, Clint Herod of Bristol, CT, Clay Herod of New Braunfels and Rob Evans of College Station.
Visitation will be Wednesday from 3 p.m. until 8 p.m. with the family present from five until eight p.m.
For those who wish to do so, memorial gifts may be made in Martha C. Herod's name to Christian Education, The University of Mary- Hardin Baylor, External Relations, 900 College, Belton, Texas 76513.