"Knowledge is power, but applied knowledge is powerful." – Marta  Washington Gore

Marta Davette Washington Gore lived a life worth celebrating and emulating. She was born on January 3, 1965 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to George and Phyllis Washington. Unafraid to break molds, she was one of the first girls to become a Cub Scout. Marta excelled at the Philadelphia School of Performing Arts in theater and dance, where she forged lifelong friendships. She earned a B.A. in marketing at North Carolina Central University and pledged a lifetime of sisterhood, scholarship, and service to the illustrious Delta Sigma Theta, Sorority, Inc. through the Alpha Lambda Chapter. She was a dedicated alumna and became a huge proponent of HBCUs, noting the critical role that they play in cultivating the minds of young Black scholars.

After graduating, Marta set her creative sights to Hollywood, moved to Los Angeles, and landed roles on iconic shows like Martin and Sinbad. While in L.A., Marta met her cherished husband Charles Gore, Jr. and daughter Jennifer. Marta and Charles wed on July 29, 1995 and relocated to Durham, North Carolina, where they welcomed their daughter Janelle into the world. Soon after moving to McKinney, Texas, their son Ezra completed their family.

During her 25 years in McKinney, Marta worked tirelessly to help everyone realize their unique and significant contributions to the world. She was an educator in the McKinney Independent School District, mentored students, served on the McKinney Community Board, founded Eastside Harvest, became a member of the NAACP,  was a lead in the theater ministry at North Dallas Community Bible Fellowship, and founded an after-school theater camp named Destiny's Children. She pursued justice fervently, even throughout her battle with cancer. Through her social action work with Delta Sigma Theta, Marta helped the Crown Act become state law in 2023—prohibiting race-based hair discrimination in Texas workplaces, schools, and housing policies.

Marta departed this life on March 11, 2025, surrounded by her immediate family – her husband Charles, children Jennifer (Patrick), Janelle, and Ezra, and her mother, Phyllis Washington. She is preceded by her father who affectionally called her Ladybug. Marta is also survived by her , godmother Evelyn Deck, bonus mom Cheyne Washington, aunts Gretchen Mitchell and Diane Pieter, siblings Malyka Sankofa Wilson (Samuel) and Tony Thornton (Deena), loving nieces and nephews, cherished extended family, and a vast community of friends whom she loved deeply. She was also an adoring dog and cat grandmom. To Marta, family was more than bloodlines. Family was love, companionship, unconditional support, empathy, and belonging.

We are grateful for the time we shared with Marta. She lived her life with a spirit of generosity, joy, compassion, and tenacity that will forever inspire us all. Rest in LOVE!

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