Roll Call Tribute

Published in (San Antonio) Express-News on Dec. 3, 2017

Martha Lee Mcfarling Mead
November 30, 2017
Martha Lee McFarling Mead passed away peacefully on Thursday November 30, 2017. She is survived by her husband of 63 years, Lt. Col. Donald F. Mead (Ret.); their daughters, Leslie Ann Cardinal (Joseph), and Dr. Melissa Jane Clough (Fred); her sister, Ida Gwen Kujawski (Bruce); three grandchildren, Calvin, Maggie, and Molly; as well as numerous loving relatives and friends.

Martha was born in Tulia, Texas and raised in Odessa, Texas. She graduated from Baylor University, married Don soon after, and began life as an Air Force wife. She enjoyed being a full-time mother while her children were young.

Martha then began her professional career by teaching elementary school in Albuquerque and on Fort Buchanan in Puerto Rico. She was very excited when she had the opportunity to return to school for her Masters degree in School Guidance and Counseling at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colorado.

When her husband was transferred to San Antonio, Martha accepted a position as a school counselor at Harlandale High School and then moved to a counseling position at John Jay High School. From there, she was promoted to lead the Vocational Education Program at John Jay High School. While working full time, she pursued her lifelong dream of earning a doctoral degree, completing her Ed.D. in Adult and Community Education from Texas A&M University.

Martha was always known for being a caring leader and a great team builder. She was persistent and passionate in pursuing her belief in lifelong learning. She was also admired for her friendly nature and ready smile.

Dr. Mead launched the first Community Education program in San Antonio, under the sponsorship of Northside Independent School District. She and her team grew the program into a large and successful program that continues to this day. It serves many people throughout the San Antonio Area with a GED program, an English as a Second Language Program, as well as many career-focused and fun-based classes. While leading this pioneering program, Martha also spearheaded many groundbreaking programs, including education programs and childcare programs for school-aged parents so that teen parents could complete their high school education while raising their young children.

After retiring from Northside ISD, a beautiful new elementary school, Dr. Martha Mead Elementary, was built and named in her honor. Martha was also very active in launching the NISD Museum project.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Gwen Sprawls McFarling Braly; her father, Benjamin Hayden McFarling; and her stepfather Bill Braly.

The family would like to thank the staff at The Mission at Blue Skies of Texas, as well as Blue Skies Hospice for their care for Martha. In lieu of flowers, friends wanting to honor Martha may make donations to the or to the Dr. Martha Mead Elementary School Fund, 3803 Midhorizon Rd., San Antonio, Texas 78229.

Martha will be dearly missed and never forgotten. A memorial service followed by a reception will be held on Monday, December 4, 2017 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the Community Room at the Mission, at Blue Skies of Texas, 4917 Ravenswood Drive, San Antonio.