Martha McDoniel

Martha McDoniel, born July 14, 1955, in Lubbock, Texas, to Billy Charles and Betty McDoniel, passed away at her home in San Saba, Texas, surrounded by her loved ones on January 16, 2024.

A visitation will be held for Martha from 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m Saturday, January 27, 2024 at Blaylock Funeral Home chapel in San Saba, Texas; a memorial service will follow starting at 2:00 p.m

Martha moved to San Saba in her early childhood and attended San Saba schools through part of high school and then finished her high school career at Crockett High School after moving to Austin. Martha also took several courses at Austin Community College. Martha worked various jobs including legislative aide for Lloyd Dogett, waitressing, photo mat technician, and flower salesman. Most notably, Martha was the president of Air Right, an HVAC company.

Martha found passion in many areas of her life and her interests changed through the years. She loved the rodeo, nature, walking, reading, baking, the beach, macrame, astrology, cooking, and had an insatiable quest for information. She was very knowledgeable in nutrition, herbal supplements, and nature. Martha’s claim to fame was once sharing a loveseat with “The King” Elvis Presley. Martha loved spending time out at the Gray Ranch: walking the land, swimming in the creek, and spending time with family.

Martha was married to James Cawthon from 1992 to 2000, which then brought her greatest accomplishment and joy in life, her son, Billy James Cawthon. Martha loved being a mother, and in 2022, she got the gift of her granddaughter, Laine Elizabeth Cawthon. Martha stretched her life as long as she could for more time to be a grandmother. Martha was active in the Methodist Church and loved to help others. Martha participated in meals on wheels, baking for residents of the local nursing home, and reading to those same residents. Martha was selfless, loving, quick witted, and adventurous. She will be remembered by her feisty, yet sweet and funny personality.

She is survived by her son, Billy James Cawthon and wife Ashlyn of Houston, Texas; her loving boyfriend, Juan Saldavar of San Saba, Texas; her mother, Elizabeth “Betty” Johnson of Mission, Texas; her sister, Lisa Schmidt and husband Ronnie of Cherokee, Texas; her granddaughter, Laine Cawthon of Houston, Texas; as well as countless other extended family members and friends who felt like family.

Martha is proceeded in death by her grandparents; her father, Billy Charles “B.C.” McDoniel; her brother, James “Jim” McDoniel; and her nephew, Zachariah “Zach” Schmidt.