Mrs. Fannie Jean Britsch was proud to have dedicated her long life to being a faithful wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, always aware of the dignity and importance of parenting and the family being the prime institution in God's plan for His people. A native daughter of San Antonio, she was born Nov. 17, 1917, to James Daniel and Fannie Applewhite Martin. She died on Dec. 23, 2008 in Hondo. Her father was an attorney and her mother, a musician and piano teacher from whom Fannie learned piano and her appreciation and love of music. Active in community affairs, her mother rode in the first Battle of Flowers Parade in the 1880s. Fannie rode in the parade herself four times, costumed one time as a butterfly. Fannie was trained for professional secretary work beginning graduation from Brackenridge High School and then attending Draughon's Business College. She met John Henry Britsch, her husband-to-be, on a blind date. They were married Sept. 23, 1944, at Travis Park Church. Their home was a ranch near Hondo, where they raised cattle and crops. She was a great cook and famous for her homemade biscuits and ability to make venison taste like steak. The Britsch family became active in the New Fountain Methodist Church where she sang in the choir, taught the junior high class and sometimes played piano for Sunday School. She was preceeded in death by her parents and her husband. Her children are John James and wife Betty, Robert Henry and wife Kathy, Kathy Flannery and husband Martin, Mary Healy and husband John, Charles A. and wife Karen. There are eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Her family's legacy from her is a love of family and a faithful committment to Christ and His church through the years. Visitation will be from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Friday, Dec. 26, at the Guinn-Horger Funeral Home in Hondo. The Funeral Service will be at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 27, at the New Fountain United Methodist Church with burial following in the Hondo Cemetery, Oakwood Section. The casket carriers will be: Daniel Britsch, Jason Britsch, Taylor Britsch, Jimmy Britsch, Travis Britsch, Billy Britsch, Chris Britsch. The honorary casket carriers will be Sam Dubberly, Josh Bolch, and Steve Hodges.