Martha Beseda

Martha (Pavlas) Beseda, age 103, of Abbott, passed away late Friday morning, December 20, 2024 at her daughter's residence in Elm Mott. 

A rosary will be recited 5:00 p.m. Thursday at Aderhold Funeral Home Chapel, followed by visitation until 7:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:00 a.m. Friday, December 27, 2024 at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Abbott, with Rev. Stephen Nesrsta and Rev. Thomas Jones as con-celebrants, assisted by Deacon Terry Timmons. Burial will follow at Fatima Cemetery near Abbott. 

Martha was born July 6, 1921, at the family farm near West, the third child of John and Mary (Smajstrla) Pavlas. She was a proud 1939 graduate of Abbott High School. On December 27, 1947, she was united in marriage to Johnnie Beseda in Abbott. Their union was blessed with three daughters. Martha was a lifelong and devoted member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church. She was also a member of KJZT Society #104, Texas Cotton Ginners Association, Texas Farm Bureau, and Abbott Ex-Students Association. 

She was among the remaining “Greatest Generation” defined by hard work and sacrifice. Following graduation from AHS, her father sent her to 4-C Business College in Waco to study bookkeeping. He had earlier purchased Farmers Gin & Grain in Abbott and planned for Martha to be the bookkeeper. This plan seemed to work well as she had the position at the gin for 71 years. On her father’s death, Martha and her husband inherited his interest in the gin. Her husband passed away in 1963, leaving Martha a widow with three young daughters, along with proprietorship of Farmers Gin. There were few women-owned businesses at that time, but Martha’s business was successful in part because she operated by her motto, “The Customer is always right.” Martha loved visiting with her customers, vendors and cotton buyers. Young and old seemed to enjoy their conversations with her, all while sipping a Dr. Pepper from the 1960’s soft drink machine. Accountants who closed the gin’s books each year always remarked at how neat, accurate and complete her books were. 

The Farmers Gin burned to the ground in 1966, and Martha, along with co-owner, Jimmy Bruce, rebuilt it. During cotton season, Martha worked long hours every day and could be found at the gin daily in the off-season until she was 91 years old. Martha brought her grandson, Brian, to learn the cotton business, and he purchased the Farmers Gin upon her retirement. This has kept the Farmers Gin & Grain alive while many gins in central Texas have closed. 

Martha continued to drive her pick-up truck until her late 90’s and was happy to live alone on her farm. She stayed busy baking her famous kolaches, apple strudel and maslovniky (Czech butter pastry), sewing beautiful dresses for her granddaughters, and reading the scores of magazines she subscribed to (which is probably how she got so many requests for donations from various organizations, and which she would usually help). Her day was never complete without praying her rosary several times. 

Martha is also preceded in death by her parents; a son-in-law, Thomas Neill; a grandson-in-law, David Varga; a sister, Mary Kazda and husband, Louis; a brother, George Pavlas; and nephews Jerry Kazda and John Kazda. 

Survivors include her daughters, Betty Mynar of Abbott, Nancy Neill of Elm Mott, and Mary Ann Beseda of Houston; her grandchildren, Brian Mynar and wife Lori, Chat Lenhart and wife Bethany, Catherine Neill, Alex Erickson, and Allison Varga; her great grandchildren, Cindy Remini and husband Chase, Joseph Varga and fiancée, Kendall Tighe, Luke Lenhart, Ben Lenhart, Drew Lenhart, and Madilyn Varga; her great-great grandchildren, Cooper Remini, Sadie Remini, and Sydney Varga; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. 

Pallbearers are Joseph Varga, Chat Lenhart, Alex Erickson, Daryl Kazda, Andy Pustejovsky, Joe Beseda, Michael Kazda, and Praxedis “Pineapple” Pena. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Paw Pals of Hillsboro or Fatima Cemetery Association.