CELEBRATION OF THE LIFE OF MARTHA EVELYN Martha Evelyn Akins Stewart Lewellen, nurse, mother, sister, wife and friend, died at home Tuesday, August 17, 2010 after a prolonged illness. Born March 23, 1927 at the Akins family home in McCaulley, Texas to Martin Luther and Beulah Mae Parker Akins, Martha was the youngest daughter, 15th of 17 children. She attended McCaulley School through grade 11, graduating from Buena Vista High School in Imperial in1944. In September 1944, Martha entered her lifelong nursing career, from which she took so much satisfaction and pride, via the U.S. Army Nurse Corps training at Hendrick Memorial Hospital in Abilene. She graduated in 1947, and went on to work as a Registered Nurse at Hendrick, at Baptist Memorial Hospital in San Antonio, and at the University of Texas Student Health Center in Austin. She retired from the Health Center in September 1998 after 26 years of service. Martha met Orel Holmes Stewart while in school at Hendrick and they were married March 4, 1947. They worked together and raised a family in Abilene and San Antonio until Stewart?s death, January 11, 1970; during this time they cared for Martha?s elderly father at their home in San Antonio. After Stewart?s death, Martha relocated with her children to Austin. As a single mother, she managed her work, household and family for three decades, learning home and car repair to ensure her family?s self-reliance. She studied photography and painting and shared her appreciation of art and nature with her children at home and on frequent trips to West Texas and Santa Fe. She read widely, introducing her children to great books, psychology, spirituality and creativity, and instilling in them a dedication to beauty, nature, harmony and the loving respect for life. Later in life, Martha reconnected with an old friend, Benton Lewellen, who had nursed her coworker and friend, his wife Grace, through a long illness. Martha and Benton found comfort travelling and visiting together, and were married September 18, 1998, enjoying many good years before Benton?s death March 11, 2010. As health left them, they and Martha?s children were very fortunate in the mutual support of Benton?s children, Joe Lewellen and Dawn Tompkins of Austin and Beverley and Dan Offut of Houston. Martha is survived by her brothers, Bynum Akins of Garland and Ferris Akins of Ballinger, by the extensive and wonderful Akins family and by her five children, four grandchildren and two great grandchildren: son Jon Sterling Stewart, his son James Sterling Stewart and daughter Kimberly Michelle Stewart and her children Logan Sterling Stewart and Peyton Claire Stewart; daughters Sharon Gale Stewart, Sara Suzanne Stewart and Holly Ann Stewart; and her son Jefferson Parker Stewart, his wife Linda Henderson Stewart and their two sons, Amon Alexander Henderson Stewart and Elijah Edison Henderson Stewart. She is preceded in death by her parents, her two husbands, her brothers Wesley, Ray and Bill Akins and her sisters, Icey Snellgrove, Cleo McCloud, Alline Jones, Nola Vymola Lillian Gotcher, Dale Russo, Latane Robertson Corrine Pinson, and Katy Borron. A dedicated and caring nurse, mother, wife, sister, daughter and aunt, Martha was an independent and self-determined woman. More than just the sum of her roles, she brought a spirit of responsibility and commitment to her life?a spirit of well-tested strength, of honest, loving wisdom, and, ultimately, of acceptance and gratitude. Martha spent her final months in the care of her family and friends at the home shared by Jon and Sara in Oak Hill. She taught us well how to care for her and one another. The family would like to thank all of our extended family and friends for their support during the past several months. Special thanks to Joe Lewellen and Dawn Tompkins, Peggy Tinkey, R.N. and Janet Hellums from Robinson Creek Hospice, Dr. Allen Sonstein, and Cindy Briggs from Family Eldercare for their loving and kind care. A celebration of Martha?s life will be held 11a.m. Saturday, August 28, 2010 at the Mission Funeral Home Serenity Chapel, 6204 South First St. in Austin, with reception to follow.