Wilma Jean Martin

March 1923 - April 2013

Our beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother rejoined the love of her life while surrounded by her family. She is preceded in death by her husband of 66 years, Ozier "Buck" Martin; son, Earl Gene Martin; sisters, Madrene, Helen, Carole, and Connie. She is survived by her sisters, Elizabeth "Betty" Sanders (Alvin) of Hughson and Susan Parton (Larry) of Pleasant Hill, Mo.; her brothers, Charles Wayne Hedrick (Marsha) of Olathe, Kansas and George (Joann) of Pleasant Hill, Mo.; five children, Betty Davis (Michael) of Ceres, James Martin (Lorene) of Modesto, JoAn Long of Tucson, Bill D. Martin (Jeanne) of Las Vegas, and Karen Mendenhall-Kajioka (Eugene) of Turlock; her grandchildren, Cheryl Davis-Morrow (Jason), Michael Long, Melinda Davis, Matthew Long, Kelsey Mendenhall, Trenton Mendenhall, Jaclyn Verbeck (Thomas), and Thomas Riley (Maria); four great-grandchildren, Corbin Davis-Morrow, Kailee Davis-Morrow, Daniella Long and Ashlynn Long, as well as many special nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Wilma Jean was born on the Leathers Farm, in Carroll County, Ark., moved to Green Forest around 1926, and lived there until married on April 13, 1941 in Eureka Springs, Ark. She was one of 21 graduates of the 1941 graduating class of Green Forest High School. She attended all 12 years in Green Forest schools, where she was a member of the girls' basketball team, Glee Club, cheerleading, and worked in the school office. In 1954, she, Buck and their young family moved to Ceres, where they owned and operated the Martin Poultry Ranch on Morgan Road for many years.

Wilma was an active member of the Stanislaus Genealogy Society, Daughters of the American Revolution, Colonial Dames XVII Century, Carroll County Historical Society, and Ceres Historical Society. She was a lifelong member of the United Methodist Church in Ceres and Hughson. She was a Ceres 4-H Club Leader and involved in PTA. Wilma has been a resident of Samaritan Village in Hughson since 2008, where she enjoyed spending her days with fellow residents and staff. Wilma enjoyed staying connected with family through genealogy and staying current on Facebook with family and friends.

The family is very grateful for the wonderful care given to Wilma by the Samaritan Village staff in Hughson and Community Hospice.

In lieu of flowers, the family prefers donations to go to Community Hospice, 4368 Spyres Way Modesto, CA 95358.

Viewing is 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday, April 26, at Allen Mortuary, 247 N. Broadway, Turlock.

The Celebration of her life is 10 a.m. on Saturday, April 27, at Samaritan Village, 7700 Fox Road, Hughson, CA.

Graveside service is 1 p.m. at Lakewood Memorial Park, 900 Santa Fe Avenue, Hughson, CA.

Please share your memories and condolences at www.allenmortuary.com.

-Ceres (Calif.) Courier/Wednesday,
April 24, 2013