M​AYBELLE MONTGOMERY FLETCHER
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Maybelle Montgomery Fletcher, 92, celebrated her new life in heaven on October 18, 2016. She was born in Speegleville, Texas on October 14, 1924 to Eben Montgomery and Edna Thomas Montgomery.

Maybelle was a pioneer in aviation who began her 70+ year career by soloing when she was 16 yrs old. In 1945 she met her co-pilot for life, James Lawrence (Larry) Fletcher at the airport in Waco, Texas. Her wedding ring was a Piper J-3 Cub!​ ​On October 14, 2016 Larry and Maybelle celebrated 71 years of marriage, much of it at over 2,000 ft in about 175 different types of airplanes​.​

Maybelle was a longtime active member of the Ninety Nines, an organization of women pilots founded by Amelia Earhart. She was the founder of the Southwest Flying Club, the oldest flying club in Texas. She loved racing airplanes locally and internationally.

As a FAA Designated Examiner for over 30 years, she accumulated over 30,000 flight hours. She was a CFI, CFII, MEI Instructor and had a Seaplane rating. Many of her students became airline pilots, military pilots and even astronauts.

One of Maybelle’s most significant contributions to aviation was her development of the plan accepted by the FAA for Class B airspace for Houston’s Hobby Airport which is still in effect. In 2001 she was inducted into the Texas Aviation Hall of Fame located in the Lone Star Flight Museum. In 2004 she was the first woman honored with The Wright Brother’s Master Pilot Award. Also in 2004 Maybelle was presented the Lloyd P. Nolen Lifetime Achievement in Aviation Award by Wings Over Houston.

Maybelle’s crowning achievement was making sure her children had a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Houston’s First Baptist Church was their training ground, where she and Larry were members for 60+ years. They enjoyed flying Bro. John Bisagno to numerous revivals. She was Superintendent of the Second Grade Sunday School Department for 33 years.

Maybelle is survived by husband Larry Fletcher, children Sandra (Sandy) Fletcher Smith, David Lawrence Fletcher (Cynthia) and Suzanne Wood (Ben). Grandchildren Lisa Irwin (John), Lorrie Lampson (Colin Mac​K​ay), Rebecca Garms (Jonathan), Sarah Slovarp (David), Reagan Fletcher. Great grandchildren Julia Batinga (Edward), Daniel Hayden (Christina), Emily Whisnant (Brandon), Samuel Hayden, Elizabeth Hayden, Isabella MacKay, Blake Garms, Brooke Garms, Addison Henley, Maxwell Henley and Rylann Slovarp. Great-Great grandchildren include Madison, Mackenzie, Makayla, Jacob and Masyn Batinga.

A Waco funeral service for family and friends will be held at Oakcrest Funeral Home, Waco, Texas on Tuesday, October 25, 2016 at 10:30 am. Visitation will be Monday 24th from 5-7 pm. Bro. John Durham of Highland Baptist Church of Waco will lead the service.

A Houston Memorial Service will be held Saturday November 5, 2016, 10:30 am at the 1940 Air Terminal Museum at Hobby Airport. Dr. David Self of Houston's First Baptist Church will lead the service. Friends and family are invited to drive or fly in for the celebration of Maybelle’s life. Pilots are welcome to begin arriving at 9am. If anyone prefers to arrive at Pearland (outside of Class B), we will be happy to assist. Please call Sandy Fletcher Smith at 830-998-9880. Reception and casual sharing of aviation adventures to follow among friends.

For a more detailed history of Maybelle's life with photos click on The Flying Fletchers

In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to either of the following:

Scholarships for women in aviation:
The Ninety-Nine’s, Inc
PO Box 950374
Oklahoma City, OK 73195-0374
Earmarked: The Amelia Earhart Scholarship Fund in memory of Maybelle Fletcher.

Donations for mission ministry with the Navigators:
Art & Robin Allen
8136 FM 2657
Kempner, TX 76539
Earmarked: In memory of Maybelle Fletcher

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