Pris Martin
Priscilla Jean “Pris” Martin died April 9, 2008, in the South Austin Hospital. Pris was born Feb. 4, 1934, in Millville, NJ.
Pris grew up in Gloucester, Mass., on the North Shore, where she developed a love for the sea. One of her favorite pastimes was watching the many artists who came to the area to paint and at a very young age she would critique their work. Pris ha
d a natural artistic talent, and she always gave God the credit for her talent.
Next stop for Pris was Fair Haven, Mass., on the South Shore, where she learned to ride and train horses. After graduating from Fair Haven High School, Pris headed south for warmer weather. She attended Mary Washington College of the University of Virginia in Fredericksburg, Va., where she was in the college band, orchestra, jazz band and the Mary Washington Cavalry, which was alerted to aid the Civilian Defense Program during World War II.
After college, Pris trained horses in Virginia and North Carolina and was an artist for the Naval Shipyard and later, the Armed Forces Staff College. Coming to Texas, Pris made a brief stop in the Houston area working in commercial art, but finally made it to Central Texas and Texas Parks and Wildlife where she was the Art Director. Pris retired from Parks and Wildlife in 1998. Though she earned her living working in commercial art, Pris was an excellent fine artist and particularly enjoyed doing portraits.
During retirement, Pris enjoyed doing artwork for friends, traveling, and mowing. Pris was an active member of Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Lockhart, where she served on the Altar Guild and cooked many meals.
Pris is survived by her sisters, Jane Martin, Ann Rosemier, Libby Chisum and Lois Jones; and many nieces, nephews, and friends. All who met Pris became friends with this gentle, loving woman and we will all miss her.
A celebration of Pris” life will be held at 2 p.m. on May 3, 2008, at Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Lockhart. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the church or your favorite charity.
A little too late. I have 4 copies of prints Pris did. We were friends when she lived in Pasadena (Houston). Somehow when Pris moved as often happens we lost contact. Many times I would look at the prints and think ” I sure would like to find Pris ” but not knwow where to start. Today I looked at the picture called “The Letter” and I wondered if I could find anything on the computer. Sadly I found out I was too late and Pris had passed away. What a sadness I felt. She was such a wonderful gentle person. Oh what I would give to see her again and talk about all the times we missed after she left Houston. I will rememeber her always, knowing she is in Heaven, drawing, painting and riding horses.
knew Pris in Norfolk. I have one of her drawings she gave me. It is of a lobster house. A very talented and loving person…..sorry she is gone
I worked with Pris in Houston at the Ellis Group in the early 80’s. I have several of her prints. It was incredible what she could do with a pencil and a piece of paper. She was a joy to work with and she had a marvelous sense of humor. I was rehanging one of her pieces and just thought I would type her name in the search engine. I am sorry she has passed away.