A memorial service for Michelle S. Marti, 67, of Cleburne, will be held at 2:00 PM on Friday, October 23, 2026, at First Baptist Church of Cleburne, located at 414 North Main Street, Cleburne, Texas 76033 with Chaplain Eddy Carrell officiating. There will be a time of visitation for family and friends prior to the service from 1:00-2:00 PM.

Michelle S. Marti passed away on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, in Cleburne, Texas. She was born on October 3, 1958.

From an early age, Michelle stood out for her remarkable intelligence. She skipped two grades and went on to graduate at the top of her class as valedictorian of Cleburne High School’s Class of 1976 at just 16 years old. Michelle attended Texas A&M University as a National Merit Scholar. She was an active member of APO a national service organization on campus. She then received the Earl Ruder Award for service and high academics upon graduation, one of the highest academic awards given at Texas A&M. She was perhaps the biggest Texas A&M fan one could find. She later gave a Presidential Endowment scholarship that will continue in perpetuity.

She served as a US Congressional aid before she attended the University of Texas Law School where she received her first law degree, continuing a lifelong path marked by curiosity and a passion for learning. She later attended New York University Law School where she received a second law degree, a LLM in Tax law. She worked at Cantey Hanger Law firm for a number of years and taught mathematics at TCJC where she was recognized as a reputable scholar in the fields of applied economics, calculus and statistics, She moved back to her hometown of Cleburne and actively supported Campfire, Johnson County Rotary Club, Meals on Wheels and Tuesday Forum. She loved reading, opera, and ballet. She was also an accomplished organist and pianist.

She treasured her nieces, nephews, cousins, and her dogs and cats. Michelle also loved spending time with close family friend, Ranger Rick Nease. Her great nephew Sam Schmidt was a cherished compassionate friend who helped her in many ways. Family and friends meant a great deal to her, and she held close the bonds she shared with her loved ones. Among the companions she cherished are her dear friends Kay Casey and Shannon Mehaffey. She was known as the person to turn to for advice, always ready to help others with wisdom and care. She will be remembered as an exceptionally bright, generous, and spirited woman whose intellect, warmth, and love for others left a lasting impression on all who knew her.

Michelle was preceded in death by her parents, George Wesley Marti & Jo Chambers Marti; and her sister, Dr. Ann Marti Schmidt.

She is survived by her brother, Wes Marti; her sister, Dr. Pamela Marti Lilly and her husband Carroll Lilly, her first cousins, Margie Robinson Norman, Kim Kingston-Durgin, and Karen Kingston Toben ; nieces and nephews, Brant Schmidt, Brandi Greg, Rusty Schmidt, Angie Hubbard, Kristin Lilly, Michael Lilly, Dr. Meagan Lilly, John Marti, and Matthew Marti; and the Chambers cousins:Jane Faram, Cindy Chambers, Charles Chambers,Ginger Chambers, Jess Chambers, and Rachael Chambers, and 16 great nephews and nieces.