Martha Luan Carter Brunson Haynes

A celebration of life gathering with family and friends will be held at a future date.

Martha Luan was born September 29, 1931, in Anna, Illinois, to William and Ann Carter. She moved to Plainview, Texas, in 8th grade. She completed her undergraduate degree at Northwestern University in 1952 and was a member of Tri Delta Sorority. She earned two advanced degrees in English and History from Texas Tech University.

Martha Luan taught middle school and high school in Plainview and Lubbock, and then taught in higher education at Del Mar College in Corpus Christi. During the course of her 40 years at Southwest Texas State University (SWT)/Texas State University, she taught English, chaired the English Department, and served as Associate Dean in the College of Liberal Arts. She published numerous articles and held top leadership positions in many professional organizations throughout her career. In 1999, she became a Distinguished Professor Emerita of Texas State University. She also served on the Wimberley Village Library Board and the Wimberley School Board and enjoyed participating in the Brackenridge Club.

Martha Luan married Billy Ray Brunson on May 29, 1954, in Plainview. Bill taught History at SWT from 1965 until his death in 1988. They had four children, James (deceased), John, Elizabeth, and Ann.

She married Richard Kent Haynes in 2001, after meeting him through a mutual friend in Greece. He brought to their union four children from his first marriage to the late Zoe Ann Haynes, Stephen, Deborah, Kevin (deceased), and Julie. During their years together, they resided in Wimberley, enjoyed traveling the world, and loved spending time with family and friends. This year, she published her first novel, Ktimene: Founder of Civilizations, based on her extensive research during her travels.

Survivors include her husband, Richard Kent Haynes of Wimberley; six children, John Brunson of Wimberley, Elizabeth (Cody) Vickers of San Marcos, Ann Collins of O’Fallon, Illinois, Stephen Haynes of Dallas, Deborah (John) Bryant of Byron, Georgia, and Julie Haynes of Lakeway; two sisters, Jerre (Bob) Knoblock of Azle, Texas, and Kay (Rannie) Duncan of Plano, Texas; nine grandchildren, Carter Collins, Elizabeth Collins, Kevyn Haynes, Stephanie (Shane) Lawson, Christen Haynes, Mauri Thompson, Nicole (Bob) Snellgrove, Alex (Angie) Bryant, and Zoe Haynes; 13 great-grandchildren; 10 great-great-grandchildren; twelve nieces and nephews, Marianne (Heather Klossner) Carter, Nancylee (Mike) Staggs, Ann (Keith) Skiles, Jeanne (Ty) Tulloch, Thomas (Sylvia) Pirtle, Rolan Pirtle, Vicky (Lloyd) Longcrier, Howard (Debby) Hall, Michelle (Jeff) Rodges, Cathie Haynes Slaughter, Dan Haynes, Laurie (Mike) Arguello; and numerous grand-nieces, grand-nephews, and special friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, William and Ann Carter and Evelyn Jackson Carter; her first husband, Billy Ray Brunson; son, James Brunson; sisters Nancy Whitfield and Sally Montgomery; and brothers-in-law, Marion Whitfield and Robert Montgomery.

Please consider in lieu of flowers providing a donation to the Brunson Family Endowed Scholarship in Literature in memory of Martha Luan Brunson Haynes.

Checks should be made payable to TXST Development Foundation and mailed to:

Texas State University

Attn: Advancement Services, JCK-480

601 University Drive

San Marcos, TX 78666

Gifts can also be made online at: https://secure.ua.txstate.edu/site/SPageServer/?pagename=main_donation_form

Donations may also be made to ovarian cancer research or a charity of your choice.