Martha Lois Springfield

Martha Lois McWhorter Springfield was born in Bryan, Texas on July 7, 1938, to William Monroe McWhorter and Erma Aline Bullock McWhorter. Martha grew up with six brothers and sisters: Lillie, Paula, Sonny, Clifton, Clyde and Peggy. Playing in the Steep Hollow area of Bryan, Martha would rather be outside running, riding horses and exploring than be in a classroom. Martha’s formal education ended in 1954 with a 10th grade education, but this didn’t stop her from being a successful mother, business owner and volunteer.

While working full-time in retail and raising a family, Martha studied hard in her spare time to pursue and earn her beauticians’ license. As a hairdresser, she started working in salons in Houston, then eventually moved to North Zulch/Madisonville where she opened her beauty shop and owned her bible bookstore for many years. While working, Martha went back to school and got her GED, then completed courses at McLennan County College, where she studied Comp & Rhetoric and General Psychology.

One of Martha's favorite accomplishments was teaching Head Start in the 90s. She not only taught children, getting them ready to attend school, she also helped a young mother get her GED and go on to supervise the Head Start Program in Madison County. At age 57, realizing she needed retirement, Martha applied to work for the Texas Department of Corrections as a correctional officer. After intense physical training, Martha worked as an officer until she eventually retired from TDC.

If it sounds like Martha was extraordinary, she was! She was a writer and a poet. One of her many poems spoke volumes about her creativity:

“If I could go through life once more,

And be the child my mother bore,

We’d laugh and play and hug and kiss—

And show the world I did not miss

All the things a child can be,

But most of all, I’d just be me!”

Martha’s husband, Reedus “Bob” Cagle brought two young children with him into their marriage—Jeannie and Johnny. As a very young woman, Martha embraced and loved them as her own. In 1960 and 1965, Martha and Bob had two children: Lynn and Greg Cagle. Martha’s pride and joy were all of her children. She poured her heart into raising them and encouraging them to be as much as they could be. She was a wonderful mother who taught her children faith in God and salvation through Jesus Christ. She raised Johnny, Jeannie, Lynn and Greg to go to church, she taught them the value of hard work, and she inspired all of them to be better people.

Martha loved her grandchildren: Wade, Tommy, Robby and Erik and they loved their "Nanna." Martha received her “grandma name” from her first grandson, Wade. No one could make a baby laugh and smile the way Nanna could. She sang to them, played with them and spoiled them in the very best grandmotherly fashion. Nanna took them to church, taught them to bowl, and treated them at restaurants.

Martha’s ability was amazing as she always found a way to accomplish anything she put her mind to. She always gave what she had to help others. She was an amazing woman who persevered through many adversities, and her children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews will always remember her as the mischievous, funny, playful—and most of all—loving mother, grandmother, sister and aunt.

Martha was preceded in death by her parents, William and Erma McWhorter; two sisters, Paula Nell Bridges (Kenneth) and Peggy Elaine Schelsteder (Richard); two brothers Winston Franklin “Sonny” McWhorter and Clyde Monroe McWhorter; and her son Johnny Max Cagle (Sindy).

Martha's legacy of love lives on in her children, Jeannie Lollar (Butch), Lynn Cagle, and Greg Cagle (fiancé Shannon); along with her grandchildren, Robby Crofoot, Erik Crofoot, Wade Lollar (Debbie), Tommy Lollar (Nicki), Lolita Lollar, Ashley Parvin (Chris); great-grandchildren, Arianna, Cheyenne, Payton, Ashlynn (Michael), JJ, Katie, Kinley, Siara, Hunter (Cassie), Meghan, Rowdy, Johnathan, and Bryton; great-great grandchild, CJ; her siblings, Lillie Dell Leonard (Bill) and Clifton McWhorter (Carolyn); as well as a host of nieces and nephews whom she adored.

Martha loved yellow roses, red birds and antiques. When you find a treasure, think of Martha!

Martha’s favorite scripture, which she often quoted was Proverbs 3:5-6:

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."

A funeral service honoring Martha's life will be held at 2 P.M. on Sunday, May 4, 2025, in the chapel at the Madisonville Funeral Home, Madisonville, Texas, immediately followed by burial in Willowhole Cemetery, North Zulch, Texas. Visitation will take place from 4 P.M. - 6 P.M. on Saturday, May 3, 2025, at the Madisonville Funeral Home.

Final arrangements for Martha Lois Springfield are under the compassionate care and direction of Madisonville Funeral Home, Madisonville, Texas.