The Martha Howard Endowed Nursing Scholarship was established by Henry, Robert, and Deborah Howard Patrick to honor their mother.

Martha Howard was born in Haynesville, LA. Her family later moved to Atlanta, Texas, Kilgore, Texas, and then to Carthage where she graduated from Carthage High School. After graduation she traveled to Northwestern State University to attend nursing school.  

After graduation and while working as a nurse in Ruston, LA she met her future husband, Robert Henry Howard. They married and spent the next twenty-five years together. During that time they raised three children Henry, Deborah, and Robert.

Mr. Howard passed away in 1976 of cancer. In 1980 Martha returned to Carthage to help run the family business, Car-Tex Transport & Vacuum Service. She and her children spent the next 30 years building the business that today is a leader in its field. Mrs. Howard retired in 1999 due to health concerns. 

Mrs. Howard has six grandchildren: Katherine Patrick, Jeremy Green, Robert Howard, Michael Howard, Rachael Howard, and Ben Green.

The Martha Howard Endowed Nursing Scholarship will be awarded annually to a deserving student majoring in nursing. The selection and announcement naming the recipient will be made in the spring each year.