ALTO, NM - Martha Howerton Poss died Feb. 4, 2022 after a long, hard fought battle with pancreatic cancer. She was in her mountain home in Alto, NM, with her husband and sons.
She was born on Dec. 13, 1935, in Abilene to Lacy and Dorothy Howerton and brother Joel. They moved to San Angelo in 1941. She sang in the San Angelo High School choir, being selected to the Texas High School All-State Choir. She graduated in 1953. She then attended San Angelo College and was the 1954 Ram Basketball Sweetheart.
She began dating Delnor W Poss in 1952 and the two were married in 1954. They were married for nearly 68 years and she gave birth to sons Nathan Joel, Delnor Everett and John Mark. The young couple began their coaching and teaching careers together in Garden City and Menard in 1956, with two years stints in each. In 1960 the Posses moved to Big Spring. There she had a busy life as a homemaker and piano school teacher in the home for 13 years. She also taught Sunday school and was a fashion model in the Permian Basin.
Returning to school at UT-Permian Basin, she proudly completed her degree in 1975 at age 40. She later added a Masters degree from Sul Ross State University. Martha's school teaching career included one year in Ackerly and 24 years at Greenwood ISD outside of Midland. Most of that was teaching second graders, with the last 3 as a Reading Specialist. She thoroughly enjoyed teaching the children academically and about life in a more broad sense. Influenced by Mrs. Poss, many of her students decided to become teachers and coaches themselves.
She was known for her outer and inner beauty, as well as her grace in all situations with countless people. As a mother, she was gracious and firm, teaching her sons with love and discipline. From her sons' early ages of youth sports of football, basketball and baseball coached by her husband to their college games, Mama Poss was their #1 fan. She was a lifelong inspiration to her husband Delnor with high school basketball and football teams, and very important in his storied career as an Athletic Director and Golf Coach at Midland College.
As husband Delnor often said: "Martha was the wind beneath my wings". During that time as an encourager of Delnor's players, the MC Chaps golf teams won four national junior college championships. Martha attended 26 national golf championship events to cheer for the Chaps. She also accompanied Delnor as he coached Team USA Golf to a World Championship at the World University Games in Lausanne, Switzerland in 1996.
An avid Bridge player, she played in tournaments and in clubs all over West Texas, and later in Ruidoso. She qualified for and competed in the National Bridge Championship in Las Vegas in 2008. She also sang in the church choir her entire adult life, singing for First Christian Church choirs in San Angelo, Big Spring, Midland and Ruidoso. Additionally she was a proud member of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
The Posses rarely missed son Nathan's UTEP Miners home football games the past 25 years, sitting on the balcony behind the north end goal posts of the Larry K Durham Sports Center. She always greeted players and coaches after the contests.
She was preceded by her parents and brother.
She leaves behind her husband Delnor; sons Nathan, Del (Peggy Ann) and Mark (Maria); as well as grandchildren Emil and Alexandra (Josh). Aunt Martha also has nieces and nephews including Katie Howerton Landry, Martha Howerton Pattie, Lacy Howerton, David Howerton, Jennifer Poss Taylor, Lisa Ricci Brown and Albert Ricci; 10 great nieces/nephews and seven great-great nieces/nephews.
Memorial services of the celebratory nature will be observed on the following dates. --Ruidoso on Apr. 2 at 2pm. -- Big Spring on Apr. 7 at 40pm; -- San Angelo on Apr. 8 at 4pm; -- Midland on Apr. 9 at 2pm. All services will be at the First Christian Church in those locales.
In lieu of flowers contributions can be made to either the: ---Chap Athletic Fund or Martha Poss FCA Huddle, 3600 N. Garfield PE Room 135, Midland, Tx 79705, Attn: Forrest Allen