Shirley Joyce Martin formerly of Pine Bush and Rockwall, TX died peacefully in her sleep on November 2. She was 96.
Shirley was born and raised in NYC. She attended the Salvation Army church for many years of her life and taught Children’s Sunday School. She met, fell in love , and married Paul Martin, her husband of 57 years. At the time, Paul was in the Army Air Corp and stationed in San Marcos, TX, so Shirley, the “city girl” got on a train, alone, and traveled cross country to be near him. Together they owned and operated several successful businesses while raising six children.
Shirley was a loving mother and a teacher at heart. She taught her children manners, respect, compassion, integrity, loyalty, the value of family, the value of hard work, and the Love of Jesus.
The family moved to the country in Pine Bush, and while the children were in school, Shirley read Burpee Catalogs and learned how to garden. She loved to spend her days gardening and grew the most amazing rose bushes and tomatoes. When she wasn’t gardening, Shirley was always at her sewing machine making clothes for herself as well as for her three daughters, and later for her grandchildren. She would spend her evenings crocheting mittens when her children were small, baby booties and sweater sets which she gifted to new mothers. Shirley sewed and crocheted well into her late 80’s. She loved to read, enjoyed oil painting, and became an amazing photographer later in life. She had a passion for flowers, birds, and butterflies. Shirley was an extremely artistic and a very talented and gifted woman.
Shirley is survived by two sisters: Bernice Atkins of Suffern, NY, and Phyllis (Phebe) Nigro of Maspeth, NY, four children: Melanie Paula Martin of Montgomery, NY, Stephen John Martin, Sr. of Rockwall, TX, Barbara Ann Banks of Tampa, FL, and John Leonard Banks (spouse Theresa Banks) of Marysville, CA, nine grandchildren, twenty great grandchildren, eight great great grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her husband Paul Martin, a son Michael Paul Martin, Sr., and a daughter Sherryl Joy (Martin) Smith, grandson Brandon Paul Martin, parents William and Emma Knight, brother Arthur Knight and his spouse Joan Knight, a sister Barbara Halpin, and her spouse Bernard (Bern) Halpin, brother-in-law John Atkins, and brother-in-law Robert Nigro.
A service was held on Tuesday, November 8, at Millspaugh Funeral Home, Walden, with Pastor Roy Shaffer officiating.
Burial will take place in Rockwall, TX.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Samaritan’s Purse, PO Box 3000, Boone NC 28607 or Tunnels to Towers t2t.org.
Arrangements were made by Millspaugh Funeral Directors.