Hilda Maxine Martin

Hilda M. Martin, 95, of Poplar Bluff, died Tuesday, April 21, 2015 at Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center.

Mrs. Martin, daughter of the late Theodore Alexander and Julie Emrald Cole Whitt was, born Dec. 17, 1919, in Butler County. She graduated with the Poplar Bluff High School Class of 1939, which was the first class to graduate in the junior high gym and the largest class to graduate to date. Soon after marriage in 1954, she moved to Sacramento, Calif., where she lived for 20 years before moving back to Poplar Bluff. She was a member of Northpoint Nazarene Church, where she previously held several offices and taught Sunday School. Mrs. Martin enjoyed singing, sewing, collecting dolls, and doing RSVP at elementary schools, where she would read to classes.

On Oct. 16, 1954, she married M. J. "Babe" Martin, in Poplar Bluff. He preceded her in death on Dec. 11, 1999.

Survivors include three children: John J. (Dorlene) Martin, of Bartlesville, Okla., James W. (Angela) Martin, of Poplar Bluff and Mary Frances (Craig) Holmesley, of Westminster, Md.; 15 grandchildren: Karli Martin, Tyler Martin, Whitney Nicole Martin, Ryan Martin, Meghan Martin, Chad (Bethar) Martin, Kayla (Ryan) Cooper Shawn Martin, Brian Martin, Cody Martin Marion Martin and fiancée, Nick McDonald, Jake Martin, Ethan Homesley, Ellen Homesley and Charlene Homesley; seven great-grandchildren: Adrianne Rose Martin, J.T. Martin, Zoe Cooper, Lily Cooper, Piper McDonald, Tom Palfrey and Max Palfrey; and several nieces and nephews.

A baby daughter, Julie Jane Martin also preceded Mrs. Martin in death.

Visitation will begin at 1 p.m. Sunday at Cotrell Funeral Chapel with the funeral service following at 2 p.m. The Rev. Greg Gilberto will officiate. Burial will be at Marble Hill Cemetery, in Poplar Bluff.