Freestone County, Texas
Obituaries


The Teague Chronicle
Dec. 24, 2009 issue

Martha Ruth (Small) Sterling

Funeral services for Mrs. Martha Ruth (Small) Sterling were held on Saturday, 
December 12, 2009, at Fairfield Missionary Baptist Church in Fairfield, Texas, 
where A.L. Thibodeaux pastors. Pastor Maurice Frazier officiated and Pastor L.B. 
Perry gave the Eulogy. Interment was at Jerusalem Cemetery in Teague, Texas.

Martha was born on April 10, 1950 to Robert "Jack" and Estella Griggs Small, in
Teague, Texas. She passed away on Sunday, December 6, 2009 in Fairfield, Texas.
She received her formal education in Avant and graduating in Teague. Known to 
many as Ruth, She was employed at Mexia State School before retiring with 29 
years of service. Martha spent a lifetime of service and fellowship at Jerusalem
Missionary Baptist church where she served as Secretary, Treasurer and Choir 
director until her time of departure. She was also the vice president of the 
Booker T. Washington Alumni Association.

She is survived by her loving husband Donald Sterling; her son John McElroy 
and wife Tammie; her grandchildren Michael and Jordan; her siblings Haywood 
Small and wife Mary Joyce, Carolyn Jean Huckaby, A. James Small and wife 
Patricia, Jerry Small and Clyde Rice; her mother-in-law Erma Sterling; her 
special grandchildren Chloe, Alexis and Makayla; special friends Mozell 
Williamson, Mary and Zach Mims, Debbie Nesbitt, Niki Murray, Deb Favors, Glenda 
and LaCharles Bass, Gayla Franklin and Jonnie brown and a host of nieces, 
nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

Pallbearers for Mrs. Sterling were Billy Small, Jr., Haywood Small, Jr., Gary 
Small, Lonnie Harris, Kevin Rice, Ronnie Harris and Howard Govan. Honorary 
pallbearers were Carlton Rischer, Johnny Titus, Elbert Gillispie, Leslie 
Keaton, Jimmy Hemby, Michael Sterling, Ronnie Tatum and Zach Mims.

Final arrangements were entrusted to Emanuel Funeral Home.

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The Palestine Herald
December 9, 2009

Martha Ruth Sterling

Services for Martha Ruth Sterling, 59, of Fairfield will be at 10 a.m. 
Saturday at Fairfield Missionary Baptist Church. Burial will follow in 
Jerusalem Cemetery in Teague under the direction of Emanual Funeral Home, 
Teague.

Mrs. Sterling died Sunday at her home in Fairfield.