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Madge Houston Thornall Roberts, 86, beloved great, great granddaughter of Sam Houston, wife, mother, grandmother, sister and aunt, passed away on October 24, 2016. She will be greatly missed by her family, friends and colleagues. Madge was born December 3, 1929 in Houston. After graduating from Lamar High School, she received a scholarship to Southwestern University in Georgetown, earning a degree in English and Journalism in only three years. She then began a successful teaching career in San Antonio, during which she received numerous accolades, including Teacher of the Year. While teaching, she obtained her Master of Education degree from Trinity University. After retiring from 38 years in elementary education, Madge embarked upon a new career as a successful author of Texas History. She authored five books, including a biography of Sam and Margaret Lea Houston, The Star of Destiny, as well as four volumes of The Writings of Sam Houston. She was widely recognized as an authority on both Sam Houston and the Republic of Texas. She won numerous awards and was a sought-after speaker across the country. Her knowledge and expertise will be missed by those who continue to strive to keep the importance of Texas history alive for future generations. Madge was a dedicated and active member of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas (DRT). She was elected President of the Alamo Couriers Chapter and President General of the state DRT. She later served as Chairman of the Alamo for two years and was awarded the Alamo Battlefield Association Award for her work on the Wall of History, a permanent exhibit at the Alamo. Madge was also active in the San Jacinto Descendants, San Antonio Conservation Society, Writer’s Guild, Texas State, East Texas, and San Antonio Historical Associations, and the San Antonio High School Coaches’ Wives Association. Madge was preceded in death by her parents C.E. and Marian Hearne Thornall and by her husband Charles Stanley Roberts. She is survived by daughter and son-in-law Cathy Lea and Bryce Jacobson and their sons Brett Houston and Blake Austin; and by son Charles Randall Roberts and his sons Travis Randall and Trevor Ryan. Other survivors include sister, Nancy Thornall Burch and children, Duncan Burch, Andrew and Cathy Burch with their children Caroline and Alex, and Bonnie Lea and Barry Ward with their daughter Emma Lea; and sister, Penny Thornall Remick and children, David Royston Remick and Lindsey Lea Hughes. Madge worked tirelessly to maintain and support the DRT Library for the future. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Daughters of the Republic of Texas Library, PO Box 1401, San Antonio, TX 78295-1401 or www.drtl.org. A memorial service will be held Saturday, December 3 at 2:00 at Mission Park North, 20900 IH 10 West.

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Madge Houston Thornall Roberts

December 3, 1929 - October 24, 2016