Martha Shirley Meystedt
Martha Shirley Meystedt, 83, passed away on April 1, 2017. She was born on May 3, 1933 in Jackson, Missouri to John and Willa Priest.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Zack Meystedt, brothers Jack Priest and George Priest, sister Jeanne Keating and son-in-law Kenny Hargrove. She is survived by her son Michael and daughter-in-law Rachelle of Dickinson, Texas, daughter Mary Hargrove and her children Monica and Michael of League City, Texas, and daughter Monica and son-in-law Gary Little and their children Zachary and Mark of League City, Texas.
Martha graduated from Font Bonne University, St. Louis in 1955. She married Zack in July 1955 and they moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico where she began her teaching career. The family relocated to Dickinson, Texas, in 1966. Martha began teaching full-time for DISD in 1973. She taught 5th grade for many years at Dunbar Elementary and later at Hughes Road Elementary. She retired in 1998. Through the years, Martha touched many lives. She gave her all to help students and always rooted for the underdog. Her generosity and loving spirit was felt by many of her students. After her retirement, she continued her generosity by focusing on her grandchildren. She also enjoyed her eating excursions to local restaurants with her retired teacher friends. Per Martha’s wishes, the family will celebrate her life with a funeral mass at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Heart Association.
I’m going to miss that smile and cherish the times we have spent together. Keep Pod and Kenny in line up there and look out for our family’s. You have been an inspiration and touched more peoples lives than most could imagine. The people that have been influenced by you have always expressed to me what a wonderful person and teacher that you were. I will miss you allways
Gary
My condolences to the family Mrs Meystedt was a great teacher she always took time to help me out which I always needed she will be missed.
My condolences to the family Mrs Meystedt was a great teacher she always took time to help me out which I always needed she will be missed.R.I.P.
To Monica and Family – Ronald and I are so very sorry for your loss. Your mom was so cute and funny and I wish I had known her better. Your whole family is in our thoughts and prayers.
She was such a dear sweet lady! What a pleasure it was knowing her for so many years. She will be truly missed. What a wonderful life she had!!! I am thankful to have known her and her family for many many years and blessed to call them my family. What a blessing it will be to look back and reflect on the great memories she has left behind for us. May peace be with the family and God bless you all.
Love,
Judy Shope
Monica (and Family) Please accept my deepest sympathy. Your mother made a lasting impression with her kindness and generosity she showed toward me while in school and after when I would happen to meet her in town. She had a beautiful smile and a great sense of humor. My prayers for you and your family.
Emma Jaramillo
Our thoughts and prayers go out to your family during this time. Zack would tell his grandmas “teacher” stories of what a good teacher she was and how she touched so many lives. May her soul Rest In Peace, as well as your thoughts and emotions as you mourn her loss.
I just thought about her Monday. She had the most infectious laugh. As a teacher, she was allergic to CHAULK BOARD DUST. Go figure. She was one in a million, and loved by so many.
Prayers to the family
Mrs. Meystedt was just on my mind the other day, she was my favorite teacher. What a sweet soul she was. She will always be a happy part of my heart!
Mrs. Meystedt was one of my favorite teachers (5th grade at Dunbar). Her encouragement and high standards as a teacher played a big role in my decision to become a teacher and in my teaching philosophy. Thank you, Mrs. Meystedt! May you rest in peace.
She was instrumental in transitioning my Son from Catholic to public school. She was very special to our family Cyndi De Palermo
Monica, my thoughts and prayers are with you and yours. I remember your mom helping us (when we were pharmacy techs) early one Saturday morning to try and win tickets to a concert with a tip about “John Hancock”. Never forgot that piece of trivia. May you all have comfort knowing what a beautiful person she was and the legacy she leaves behind.
She has always been my favorite teacher. She was a great lady!
Monica, Mary, and Michael
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. As a DISD employee, and a former student(1975-76) of Mrs. Meystedt, I cannot begin to express how much she meant to so many of us. She always had a way of making me feel special, and encouraged me to excel in her classroom. I could not wait to turn in an assignment for her to grade because she had such positive feedback. She has always been my pick for My Favorite Teacher. All through the years when I would see her at the grocery store or out and about in town, my heart would swell to see her smile and still get a hug. Thank you for sharing your Mother with all of us. It was a great honor.
Mrs. Meystedt will always be dear to my heart for her patience and all she has done for me. She helped me understand math and was a great inspiration and I continue to apply her influence in my life. She was right she said, ” we will always use math.” May she rest in peace and my sincere condolences to her beautiful family.
Mrs. Meystedt was a fantastic teacher, and I will always hold such fond memories of her.
I wish I could have met Martha and learned about her memories of growing up in Jackson MO and our common ancestors. Martha’s grandfather John Priest acquired the department store which was named Priest’s from my great Grandfather JG Heinberg. Her grandmother Minnie Wessell and my great grandmother Annie Wessell Heinberg were sisters. Both my grandfather and father (both named John Heinberg) were both teachers.