Mary Martha Fuller

Notes:

The following article appeared in the March 13, 1996 SABINE COUNTY RECORDER:

Sabine County Chamber of Commerce will be hosting activities March 20 honoring Martha Fuller Turner of Houston, who grew up in Sabine County.

Since 1981, she has operated Martha Turner Properties, one of the most successful real estate firms in Houston. A graduate of North Texas State University, she taught elementary school for 15 years before making her career change.

When Martha Turner Properties began, it was described that the entire company was three workaholics crammed into a borrowed Galleria office space.

In addition to her outstanding career, she also finds time form such diverse interests as her board positions with Texas Commerce Bank, Susan G. Komen Foundation, and the Houston Association of Realtors as well as chairing gala fundraisers including Crohn's and Colitis Winter Ball, Houston Ballet Guild 50th Anniversary Luncheon, and the "Trees of Hope" to benefit Star of Hope Mission. There are many other civic, charitable, and professional organizations in which Turner is a vital worker.

Turner was named Woman of Distinction by the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation and KTRK-TV in 1991 and 1996. She has also received the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation's Gold Key award.

A lengthier article was published in the August 26, 2009 Sabine County Reporter on the occasion of her upcoming induction into the Texas Business Hall of Fame. She was one of only seven women ever to have received this prestigious honor.

Mary Howell wrote the following, for her column "On the Bright Side" honoring Martha for the October 12, 2009 issue of the Sabine County Reporter:

Martha Fuller Turner, a native of Sabine County, has been selected for induction into the Texas Business Hall of Fame. She will be honored during the annual induction dinner October 15, 2009 in Houston.

Martha is President and CEO of Martha Turner Properties, a billion dollar Houston based independent real estate company. Martha attributes her success in life to her upbringing in Hemphill. She has fond memories of her childhood days and of attending Hemphill School where she graduated in 1958.

Martha learned the fundamentals of business from her parents and grandparents, Deas and Lucille and Tom and Sallie who owned and operated Fuller's Dry Goods and Feed Store. She began working in the store when she was six years old. It was her duty to refold shirts, pants and overalls after customers browsed through them. She also wrapped packages and gifts.

Martha has fond memories of attending Hemphill's First Baptist Church where she participated in all church activities. Among her mentors were her pastor, Bro. Clarence Howell and her teachers who always encouraged her to be the best she could be.

I cherish many happy times shared with Martha when she and her friends Charlsia Rice and Sammy Kay Smith visited my sister Clara. The four were fast friends and enjoyed many happy hours at the Howell house.

After Martha graduated from high school she attended North Texas State University earning a degree in music and elementary education. She later taught school in Austin. After retiring from teaching in 1979 she earned her real estate license.

Under Martha's leadership, Martha Turner Properties has flourished into a billion dollar business. Martha encourages her employees to achieve excellence, believe in yourself, be open to opportunities, accept life changes, learn to forgive and be thankful for God's blessings.

Her friend, Clara Murphy said "If you looked up the word 'optimism' in the dictionary you would see Martha's picture!"

She is often called upon to give motivational speeches in various places across the United States. She is active in numerous charitable organizations.

Martha enjoyed visiting with friends during the reunion of the class of 1958 which was held Saturday at the Bistro in Hemphill.

Houston Mayor Bill White has proclaimed October 24 Martha Fuller Turner Day. " I extend my congratulations to Martha for her success in life. I am blessed to call Martha Turner my friend."

Death Notice, Houston Chronicle, April 8, 2022

Martha Turner, who built a residential real estate empire in Houston, died Friday at the age of 81, her firm, Martha Turner Sotheby's International Realty, said.

Considered a matriarch of Houston real estate, Turner rose to build a sprawling real estate agency that was closing more than $2 billion in real estate transactions a year before it was acquired in 2014 by New York-based Sotheby's International Realty. Turner and her co-president Tom Anderson stepped away from running the day-to-day business operations in 2015, but they held chairman emeritus roles. Today the firm has 290 real estate agents.

"We are heartbroken over Martha's passing," the company said in a statement. "She was a deeply respected leader in the Houston real estate community and an inspiration, friend, and mentor to us all," the company said in a statement.

The cause of her death was not immediately available.

Born June 24, 1940, Turner grew up in the small East Texas town of Hemphill before graduating from the University of North Texas in 1962, according to a 2016 profile in Intown Houston Magazine. After a 15-year career teaching, she turned to real estate in the late 1970s, when she studied at the University of Houston and received her real estate license, the magazine reported.

By 1981, Turner partnered with her friend Nancy Owens to launch Turner-Owens Real Estate. Five years later, the company became Martha Turner Properties.

Over the years, Turner built the brokerage into a thriving luxury real estate business. In 2009, Turner was inducted into Texas Business Hall of Fame as one of only seven women to have received the award at the time. She also became the first woman to be honored with the American Advertising Federation-Houston's Trailblazer Award in 2012.

Following the acquisition by Sotheby's, Turner pledged to help steer the company's future through continued involvement in business development, sales and marketing. She also continued to be a mentor for other real estate professionals.

"To be successful, you have to love what you do, love the people around you, make everyone feel special, and realize that you are the only person in charge of your life," Turner once told colleagues at Sotheby's.

Among those mentored by Turner was Bob Hale, CEO of Houston Association of Realtors.

It is hard to imagine a world without Martha Turner - a giant in the real estate industry and a model of success for businesswomen everywhere, Hale said in a statement. "Martha helped shape the industry and exemplified strength, poise and professionalism. She was a pioneer."

Jennifer Wauhob, the chair of the Houston Association of Realtors, described Turner as "a towering figure who served as a role model to countless real estate professionals."

Lisa Baer, a realty agent with Martha Turner for nearly 35 years, said Turner was down-to-earth with a strong sense of faith. Baer said she inspired everyone around her.

"She wanted everybody to be their best and to have their best," Baer said. "She was very motivational, inspirational, positive."

Turner's first husband, Keith, died in 1986, and she remarried a few years later to Glenn Bauguss, according to earlier media reports. She had a daughter and a grandson as of 2016, along with several stepchildren and grandchildren, according to earlier media reports.

Marilyn Thompson, who retired a year ago as president of Martha Turner Sotheby's International after working there 31 years, said Turner provided an example to other women seeking a professional career. Turner never asked her agents to do anything that she would not do herself, Thompson recalled. If it required getting down on the floor to piece together a sales presentation for a home, Turner would get down on the floor.

"She was always impeccably dressed and very professional in everything she did," Thompson said. "She opened the doors for women to make a good living."

Thompson described Turner as natural salesperson with a genius for marketing. Before real estate, she sold everything from encyclopedias to wigs to women's underwear. Thompson said she would laugh whenever Turner recalled her days as the top women's underwear salesperson at Montgomery Ward.

After selling one pair, she'd tell the customer, "You really need 7. Don't you wear a clean pair every day?"

"So, she'd sell 7 pairs," Thompson said.

Former business partner Tom Anderson said it was easy to work with Turner, who had a warm, welcoming personality.

"We never had an argument in our 11 years," Anderson said. "We had some disagreements, but we were able to sit down and work it out without one unkind word."

The two formed a partnership in the early 2000s and grew the business by recruiting other professionals who shared their value of building and maintaining relationships with the community, he said. Turner was an active participant and generous donor to charities and encouraged her colleagues to give back, he said.

"It was about more than just sales and success," Anderson said. "It was about long-term relationship clients, customers and other real estate companies."

Anderson said he visited with Turner about a month ago, before she went into hospice care. Her daughter had done her makeup that day.

"I held her hand and said a prayer. She was just beautiful," Anderson said, his voice cracking. "That's how I'll always remember her."

A briefer obituary was published in The Sabine County Reporter, April 13, 2022, page 8

Family/Spouse: Keith Belton Turner. Keith was born on 5 Apr 1937 in San Augustine County, Texas; died on 3 Dec 1988 in Harris County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Living

Notes:

It appears from the book "A Pictorial History of Sabine County, Texas, " that Deas Fuller was active in community events. He is shown participating in the Western Day parade and as part of the Hemphill Volunteer Fire Department. It also appears he operated a feed store.

In the December 28, 1994 "Year In Review" column in the Sabine County Reporter, it is noted that in April "Longtime Hemphill resident and business/civic leader Deas Fuller died at age 76."

Thomas married Lucille Moss before 1940 in Texas. Lucille was born on 23 Jul 1921 in Texas; died on 27 Jul 1980 in Harris County, Texas; was buried in Hemphill City Cemetery, Hemphill, Sabine County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

In the books "Old Timers of Sabine County, Texas Vignettes of Pioneer Families" by Virgie Speights (S. Malone, 1983), the following vignette appears:

Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Graydon (Tom) Fuller celebrated their golden wedding anniversary, Sunday, February 20, 1966, at their home with an open house from 2 to 4 p.m.. Hostesses were their daughter-in-law, Mrs. Deas Fuller, their niece, Mrs. L.A. Adiches, and Miss Gertrude Sanders.

Mrs. J.O. Porter, Miss Sherry Lewis, Miss Amanda Gooch and Miss Nancy McClelland served golden iced wedding cakd and gold punch and conducted guests through the gift display rooms. Their grandson, Tommy Fuller, registered the guests as they arrived.

When Thomas Graydon Fuller, son of James Estern (sic) and Hannah Pickney Deweese Fuller, and Miss Sallie Mason, daughter of William Crockett and Josephine Deas Mason, of San Augustine, were married at the home of the bride's parents they moved into the house where Tom was born and lived all of his life. He has been in business in Hemphill for forty years.

The Fullers have one son, Thomas Deas Fuller, who is in business with his father and lives across the street from his parents, in a home once owned by Dr. and Mrs. W.T. Arnold and family. Mrs. Arnold was formerly Miss Pearl Fuller, sister of Tom.

There is one grandson, Tommy Fuller of Hemphill, and one granddaughter, Mrs. Martha Turner of Austin.

According to "A Pictorial History of Sabine County, Texas", the home of Tom and Sally Mason Fuller was believed to have been built during the 1870's by Allen Beckcom.

In her weekly Sabine County Reporter column, "On the Bright Side", Mary Howell wrote that she remembered "Tom ran a clothing and feed store next to the drug store [which his brother Jim Fuller owned and operated]....Deas kept the store open after his parents deaths." (Page 4, July 18, 2007).

(Research):

Census Listings:

1940 Census
Texas, Sabine County, Hemphill, JP 1
Enumerated April 13, 1940
SD 42-2 ED 202-1 Sheet 5B
98-0-4000-N
Fuller, Thomas G Head M W 47 M No h-3 Tx Sam House Merchant General Mdse Store
Fuller, Sallie O Wf F W 42 m No H3 Tx Sam House
Fuller, Thomas Dees Son m W 22 M No H-4 Tx Same House Salesman General Mdse Store
Fuller, Lucille Dtr-in-law F W 18 M No H-4 R Nacogdoches Tx

Thomas married Sarah "Sallie" Melissa Mason on 20 Feb 1916 in Sabine County, Texas. Sarah (daughter of William Crockett Mason and Josephine Deas) was born on 26 Mar 1897 in Sabine County, Texas; died on 13 Jun 1987 in Sabine County, Texas; was buried in Hemphill City Cemetery, Hemphill, Sabine County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Sallie was the great-grand-daughter of William and Judith Mason. William, his wife Judith, and their six children are on the first census of Texas. He rec'd a land grant of one league and one labor, and served as Sheriff and Tax Assessor of Sabine County for a number of years. (From the notes of Linda Fuller, Cleveland, Texas).

Notes:

Married:
"They were married at the home of the bride's parents.."

Notes:

On the 1880 Sabine County Census, Sarah Dewees, Hannah's mother was living with the family. So was a 20 year old niece, Rebecca Delony, born in Texas circa 1860.

Linda Fuller of Cleveland, Texas found the following deed:

Filed for record in my office January 16, 1888 W.T. Arnold Clk Co Ct Sabine Co Texas

S.H. Oliphant, Sheriff to J.E. Fuller

Know all men by these presents That whereas by virtue of a certain writ of execution issued out of the Justice Court of the County of Denton precinct No one in favor of C.L. Herbert Sr. vs. Jessee McGee on a certain judgment rendered on the 20th day of June AD 1883 and directed and delivered to me as sheriff of Sabine County Commanding me of the goods and chattels, lands and tenements of the said Jessee McGee to make certain moneys in said writ mentioned. I, S.H. Oliphant Sheriff as aforesaid did on the 12th day of December AD 1887 levy on and seize two hundred acres of the Jessee McGee league of land the wright and title of which was in the said Jessee McGee, on the 12th day of December 1887, and on the 3rd day of January 1888, the same being the first Tuesday in January 1888, within the hours prescribed by law sold the said two hundred acres of land as public Vendue in the County of Sabine at the door of the Court House thereof, having first given public notice of the time and place of sale, by causing an advertisement thereof to be posted up at three public places in the County aforesaid one of which was the Court House door of said County for twenty days previous to said sale. And wheras, at said sale, the said land was stricken off to J.E. Fuller for the sum of sixteen dollars, he the said J.E. Fuller being the highest bidder therefor, and that being the highest secure bid for the same. Now therefore in consideration of the premises aforesaid, and of the payment of the said sum of sixteen dollars, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, I S.H. Oliphant Sheriff as afresiad have by these presents sold granted and conveyed unto the said J.E. Fuller, all of the estate, wright, title and interest which the said Jessee McGee had on the 3rd day of January 1888 or at any time afterwards, in and to the following described premises, viz: One tract or parcel of land containing two hundred acres apart of the Jessee McGee league survey in Sabine County, Texas. And bounded as floows Commencing at the S.W. corner of a seven hundred acre tract of D.J. Henderson's land sold to him by Jessee McGee, hence East with said Hendersons South line to the S.E. corner of said Henderson's ??? acre tract on the league line. Thence Sounth along said line to a supposed corner of said Henderson's. Thence West to Huntington's East line to another supposed corner. Thence North with Huntington's line to the place of beginning containing two hundred acres. To have and hold the above described land unto the said J.E. Fuller, his heirs and assigns ??? as fully and absolutely as I, Sheriff, as aforesaid can convey by virtue of the writ in testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 16th day of January, 1888.

S.H. Oliphant Sheriff of Sabine Co, Texas

On the 1890 Sabine County Scholastic Census, James and Hannah's oldest daughters, Maggie, 11 and Pearl, 8 were shown as enrolled in School No. 15, Hemphill. W.T. Arnold was on of the trustees of this school.

James married Hannah Pinkney Deweese on 5 Dec 1877 in Sabine County, Texas. Hannah was born on 24 Jul 1856 in Texas; died on 24 Feb 1918 in Hemphill, Sabine County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

She was the daughter of John T. b Oct 18, 1819, d Mar 10, 1878, and Sarah Deweese, b Aug 5, 1829, d Jan 3, 1888. (White and Toole, p 74).

On the 1900 Sabine County census, Hanna was the head of household after the death of her husband the prior year. She was running the family farm. By 1910, her oldest three children had left home. Sons James, Clyde and Thomas still lived at home, but only Clyde worked on the farm. James was a merchant, running a department store. Thomas was listed as a hack driver.

In 1900, two servant (John Duffee and Chas. Smiley) were living with the Fullers, as well as a boarder, Edward Watson, age 32 born in Texas. All three did Farm Labor.

Living with the Fuller's in 1910 was a 23 year old boarder named Moses Cole. He was a farm laborer and did odd jobs.

Her Texas Death certificate, viewable online at FamilySearch.org, Texas Deaths, 1890-1976, does not list her parents.

Notes:

W. C. Mason

Pioneer of San Augustine County Succumbs

San Augustine, Dec. 2

Funeral services for William Crockett Mason, 71, of San Augustine county, were held at the San Augustine Baptist church, Thursday morning at 10:30 a.m. with Rev. R. A. Smith, pastor of San Augustine church, officiating, assisted by the Rev. Frank Dent, pastor of Methodist church, and also Dr. J. C. Oelher, pastor of Presbyterian church. Intermnet was at the city cemetery. He died here Wednesday.

Surviving are his widow; two sons, Pat and I. E. of San Augustine; six daughters, Mrs. J. B. Fussell, Mrs. W. H. Fussell, and Mrs. Ab Howard, of San Augustine, Mrs. J. D. Fuller and Mrs. T. G. Fuller of Hemphill, and Mrs. Jimmy Lyons, Beaumont; six sisters, Mrs. Mamie Smith Morton, Mrs. Millie Self, Claredon; Mrs. Hillis Smith, Milam, Mrs. Tom Smith, San Augustine county, Mrs. John Halbert, Dallas, and Mrs. S. S. Jamison, Venavides, Texas; four brothers, Bob, Clarendon; Marcus, Roganville; Sam, Yellowpine, and Pole, Milam; and 12 grandchildren.

Mr. Mason was the son of Napoleon Bonaparte Mason, a Civil war veteran and pioneer settler of Sabine county, who came to Texas in his youth. He was a resident of San Augustine from 1908 to 1937, having purchased the originial Border plantation in 1908, and made it his home. He was a progressive cotton planter, a director and stockholder of the Commercial Guaranty bank and an honorary deacon of the First Baptist church of San Augustine. He served on the building committee, making possible the present First Baptist church in San Augustine, where he and his family worshipped for many years.

(From the Beaumont Enterprise, courtesy of Ann Ussery)

Texas Death Certificate

Name: William Crocket Mason
Death Date: 01 Dec 1937
Death Place: San Augustine, San Augustine, Texas
Gender: Male
Race: White
Death Age: 71 years 2 months 16 days
Estimated Birth Date:
Birth Date: 15 Sep 1866
Birthplace: Sabine Co., Texas
Marital Status: Married
Spouse's Name: Josephine Deas Mason
Father's Name: Napolen Mason
Father's Birthplace: Alabama
Mother's Name: Marny Terrey
Mother's Birthplace: Georgia
Informant: T. E.(L.E.?) Mason, San Augustine
Occupation: Farmer
Place of Residence: San Augustine
Cemetery:
Burial Place: San Augustino County
Burial Date: 02 Dec 1937
Additional Relatives:
Film Number: 2117400
Digital Film Number: 4030400
Image Number: 1443
Reference Number: cn 62664
Collection: Texas Deaths, 1890-1976


(Research):

Census Listings:

1900 Census
Texas, Sabine County, Pr. 7
Enumerated 15 Jun 1900
SD 8 ED 69 Sheet 11A Stamped 117
183-183
Deas, J. A. Head W M Apr 1839 61 M 38 ALa SC Ky Farmer
Deas, Hannah Wf W F Nov 1836 63 M 38 2/1 Ala SC SC
Mason, W. C. Son-in-law W M Sept 1867 32 M 12 Tx Tx Ga Farmer
Mason, Josephine Dtr W F Feb 1870 30 M 12 7/6 Tx Ala Ala
Mason, Bertie Gdtr W F Jun 1889 10 S Tx Tx Tx
Mason, Ella Gdtr W F Jan 1891 9 S Tx Tx Tx
Mason, Lena Gdtr W F Sep 1892 7 S Tx Tx Tx
Mason, Willie Gdtr W F Sep 1893 6 S Tx Tx Tx
Mason, Sallie Gdtr W F Mch 1897 3 S Tx Tx Tx
Mason, Eugene Grndson W M Feb 1899 1 S Tx Tx Tx
Seastruck, Shank Servant B M Feb 1895 25 S Tx Miss Miss Day Laborer


1910 Census
Texas, San Augustine County, JP 1
Enumerated 28 Apr 1910
SD 2 ED 137 Sheet 12B
195-207
Mason, William C Hd M W 44 M1 20 Tx Tx Tx Farmer
Mason, Josephine Wf F W 40 M1 20 12/8 Tx Ala Ala
Mason, Ella Dtr F W 18 S Tx Ala Ala
Mason, Lena Dtr F W 17 S Tx Ala Ala
Mason, Willie Dtr F W 16 S Tx Ala Ala
Mason, Sarah Dtr F W 13 S Tx Ala Ala
Mason, Eugene Son M W 11 S Tx Ala Ala
Mason, Marvin Son M W 6 S Tx Ala Ala
Mason, Ima Dtr F W 4 S Tx Ala Ala
Mason, Verdie Dtr F W 6/12 S Tx Ala Ala
Deas, Hannah Mother-in-law F W 73 Wd Ala SC SC




(Medical):See attached sources.

William married Josephine Deas on 9 Sep 1888. Josephine (daughter of James A. Deas and Hannah Elizabeth Smith) was born on 6 Feb 1870 in Sabine County, Texas; died on 28 Oct 1950 in San Augustine, San Augustine County, Texas; was buried in San Augustine City Cemetery, San Augustine County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Name: Josephine Deas Mason
Death Date: 28 Oct 1950
Death Place: San Augustine, San Augustine, Texas
Gender: Female
Race: W
Death Age: 80 years 8 months 22 days
Estimated Birth Date:
Birth Date: 06 Feb 1870
Birthplace: Sabine Co., Texas
Marital Status: Widowed
Spouse's Name:
Father's Name: James A. Deas
Father's Birthplace: Texas
Mother's Name: Hannah Elizabeth Smith
Mother's Birthplace: Texas
Occupation: Housewife
Place of Residence: San Augustine, San Augustine, Texas
Cemetery: City Cem.
Burial Place: San Augustine, Texas
Burial Date: 29 Oct 1950
Additional Relatives:
Film Number: 2074494
Digital Film Number: 4166797
Image Number: 2182
Reference Number: 49748
Collection: Texas Deaths, 1890-1976