Obituaries: Garrett, Kuenstler, West, Villanueva, Pool

Myrta Garrett, 90, Oct. 3 in Nacogdoches, where she moved in May. Baptized at age 10 at First Baptist Church in Garrison, she spent her life in Christian service. After graduation from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, she was director of the Baptist Student Union at Sam Houston State University from 1946 to 1948.Myrta Garrett In 1948, she married James Leo Garrett Jr., and they immediately went to Princeton Theological Seminary, where he did graduate work and she was secretary to the librarian. In 1949, they moved to Fort Worth, where he joined the Southwestern Seminary faculty. She was active at Gambrell Street Baptist Church in Fort Worth, serving as Woman’s Missionary Union president. They later spent 14 years in Kentucky while her husband taught at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. When he joined the Baylor University faculty in 1973, she served six years as a public school librarian in Waco. When they returned to Southwestern in 1980, she became the seminary’s serials librarian and later director of technical services. She was active at Broadway Baptist Church in Fort Worth, and served on its pastor search committee. The Garretts then became charter members of Candleridge—now Meadowridge—Baptist Church, where she directed the children’s ministry and served as a deacon. She was preceded in death by her brothers, John and George Latimer. She is survived by her husband of 67 years; sons, Jim, Robert Paul; four grandsons; and two great-grandsons.

Truett Kuenstler, 88, Oct. 11 in Haskell. A graduate of Hardin-Simmons University and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, he served 11 years as chaplain at Hendrick Medical Center in Abilene.Truett Kuenstler He was pastor of Roberts Baptist Church in Haskell County, Roane Baptist Church in Roane, First Baptist Church in Claytonville, First Baptist Church in Jayton and First Baptist Church in Rochester, where he was named pastor emeritus. He was a member of Paint Creek Baptist Church in Haskell. He was preceded in death by his sister, Mary Lou Sandefur. He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Laverne; daughters, Nanette Ashby Leann Ellis; brother, Roddy; three grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

Tommy WestTommy West, 68, Oct. 27 in Georgetown. A graduate of Howard Payne University, he began his ministry at Memorial Baptist Church in Temple. He served six Baptist churches almost 40 years in a variety of roles—education, administration, single adults, senior adults and students. In 2005, he joined the staff at Crestview Baptist Church in Georgetown as single adult minister. He is survived by his daughters, Denise Salcedo and Alison Peterman; sister, Judy West; and five grandchildren.

Emma Villanueva, 72, Nov. 2. Emma VillanuevaShe was a member of First Baptist Church in Kenedy, where she was active in the Woman’s Missionary Union. She was preceded in death by her brothers, Jesus, Isaias and Bernabe Garza. She is survived by her husband of 48 years, Rey; daughters, Rae Anne and Rayleen; sisters, Rebecca Ocanas and Mary Ann Garcez; brothers, Daniel and Elijio Garza; and one granddaughter.

Marsha Pool, 74, Nov. 3 in Dallas. She taught mathematics at Dallas Baptist University 49 years and in 2004 was the first member of the school’s faculty to be designated a master teacher. Marsha PoolFrom 1994 until 2003, she was associate dean of the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, and she twice was recognized as DBU’s Professor of the Year. She was a longtime member of First Baptist Church in Duncanville, where she directed a tutoring clinic and helped many prepare for the exam for a general educational development certificate. She was preceded in death by her husband of 43 years, Wayne, in 2013. She is survived by her sons, Lee and Gary; brother, Buddy Williams; and five grandchildren.