Martha Fichte Hancock was born February 13, 1938 in Prussia. She was the 5th child of Wilhelm and Emma Fichte. The family fled Prussia to the West side of Germany During WW2 where she grew up. She met William Charles Hancock in 1956 while he was stationed in the army in Germany, and they spent their 18th birthdays together. Their love affair flourished when they realized they had found their soulmate in each other and they went on to marry February 28th, 1959. They created a beautiful life and had 2 sons and 3 daughters. They ended up in Gainesville, Texas in 1970. Martha always put her family first and served as home room mother for all five children throughout their school years. She worked at Gainesville Memorial Hospital for many years as a dedicated housekeeper. She later went to work at Ben Franklin Elementary as a cook where she was always the favorite with the staff and students for her amazing cooking and special treats she always made for them. She never left a child with no money go hungry, always paying for their meals out of her own pocket. Working at the school with the kids brought her the most joy she ever had while working. She was loved and respected by all. During her summers off from the school, she spent her time working at Camp Sweeney, a camp for diabetic children, as a cook blessing them with her amazing talent for cooking as well. She retired in 2001. After her husband died in 1991, she studied and became a US citizen and enrolled in driving school and received her first driver’s license. Her family was so proud of her.
Her faith in Jesus Christ was always strong and she instilled that same strong faith in her children. She was proceeded in death by her husband, William Hancock, and both parents.
Martha is survived by her son Bill Hancock and his wife Esther, Son Paul Hancock, daughter Shirley Kassen and her husband Buddy, daughter Ella Khabaz and husband Allen, and daughter Joann Wallace and husband Shawn, 12 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers: Scott Hancock, Brock Hancock, Jake Kassen, Clint Kassen, Anthony Khabaz, Henry Khabaz, Chris Wallace, Shawn Wallace.
Visitation will begin at 1:00 pm, Tuesday, March 28, 2023 with Service beginning at 2:00 pm at Meador Funeral Home Chapel, 1204 E. California Street, Gainesville, Texas. Interment will follow at Fairview Cemetery, Gainesville, Texas
We are so sorry for your loss! Our thoughts and prayers are with all! She was a special person and we are glad to have known her! We know your dad and her are dancing in heaven! We are thinking of all of you kids!
John and Tamara Allen
We are very sad for your loss. We wish I could attend the service.
Martha is such a positive, sweet lady. Such a giving person. I know you, her family, will miss her. God bless you all.
My prayers are with the enter family. I grew up knowing her very well, and always enjoyed her cooking, and challenging games of Scrabble. She was always so fun to set on the couch and watch ” WHEEL OF FORTUNE” with.. She was a blessing to know, and a blessing to have so many great memories of. She will be highly missed.