Martha Gaskins Reimers was born on February 8, 1920 in Alapaha, Georgia and died March 14, 2011 in Beaumont, Texas. She was the daughter of Margaret and Pleamon Gaskins and was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Dr. Arthur Francis Reimers; sister, Lyois Alene Gaskins and brothers, Raymond David Cornelius Jr., William Cody Gaskins and Henry Askew Gaskins. She is survived by her daughter, Judith Reimers Bennett and husband, Richmond; son, John Charles Reimers and his wife, Becky. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Richmond Arthur Bennett and wife, Molly, Megan Reimers Bennett, Lindsay Bennett Zummo and husband, Steve, Jan Reimers George and husband, Rob, and John Jefferson Reimers. Her great-grandchildren are Richmond Arthur Bennett II, Ella Katherine Bennett, Lucy Rebecca George and Stephen Bennett Zummo.
Martha grew up in Melbourne, Florida where she attended public schools and subsequently received her R.N. degree from Mather School of Nursing in New Orleans, Louisiana. Following graduation, she was employed as a staff operating room nurse at Southern Baptist Hospital in New Orleans where she met her future husband, Dr. Arthur Francis Reimers. They were married in St. Charles Avenue Baptist Church on November 2, 1943. Martha and her family moved to Beaumont where she resided until her death.
Martha was involved in numerous church, civic and social organizations throughout her lifetime. She served as president of the Jefferson County Medical Alliance and The Salvation Army Advisory Board and as Social Chairman of the Neches River Festival. She was also a member of the boards of the Women?s Golf Association of the Beaumont Country Club, American Heart Association, American Cancer Society, American Red Cross and the YWCA. Martha was a teacher of the Sarah Class of First Baptist Church and served with the Disaster Medical Units of Jefferson County.
A celebration of her life will be held on Thursday, March 17, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. at First Baptist Church in Beaumont. A private family interment will follow at Magnolia Cemetery. Visitation will be Wednesday from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at Claybar Kelley-Watkins Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to First Baptist Church, The Salvation Army or a charity of your choice.