Arnold Edward Martin

Martin

Arnold Edward (Marty) Martin lost his long battle with brain cancer on Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2015. He peacefully slipped away from this world and onto his heavenly home in the presence of his loving wife and partner, Sue Martin and stepdaughter Suzanne Williams. He was 78 years of age.

A memorial service will be held for him on Dec. 31, 2015 at Beech Springs Baptist Church. The service will begin at 11 a.m., with the family welcoming friends at 10 a.m. for a brief visitation. The service will be led by his pastor, Ronnie Whitlock.

Arnold was born in Pickton, Texas on Sept. 21, 1937. He was the youngest of 10 children, and the son of Hiram Lovett Martin and Lela Hamilton Martin. He grew up on a dairy farm with a loving, large family that taught him the value of hard work and devotion to family and friends. He served in the U.S. Army, and was a diesel engineer for several years after his discharge. He eventually went into business for himself servicing the trucking industry for 40 plus years. Before his illness forced his retirement, he was employed by Bobby Johnson Equipment of Oil City.

Arnold was a member of Beech Springs Baptist Church, where he was a member of the choir. We will forever be grateful to a warm church family that welcomed us into their midst and supported us throughout this difficult time. His faith and trust in his Savior never failed him as he battled his cancer. Never asking, “why me,” he placed his life in God’s hands and was greatly blessed with the comfort of his faith.

Arnold is survived by Sue Thompson Martin, his loving wife and partner in life of 33 years. Also surviving are his daughter, Sandra Denise Christian, and her children Dustin and Amber, his stepdaughter, Suzanne Williams and her husband Warren Williams Jr. of Shreveport, and his stepson Thomas Morelock and his wife Naomi of Mount Juliet, Tennessee. Although Suzanne and Thomas were his stepchildren, he raised them as if they were his own, and he was so proud of the wonderful adults they became. Arnold is survived by five grandchildren, Campbell and Jackson Owen of Shreveport, and Madison, Abby, and Nate Morelock of Mount Juliet, Tennessee. In addition, numerous nieces and nephews mourn his passing. Lastly he leaves behind three sisters-in-law and their husbands, Shelby Barnette and her husband Lee of Ruston, Linda Wilson and her husband Dave of Minden, and Patsy Hilburn and her husband Walter of Alvarado, Texas. He loved them all, and they made it possible for him to remain at home by their unselfish gift of their time and their support that was always there for both of us.

Preceding Arnold in death were his parents, and his siblings: Ronald Martin, Charles Martin, Mary Martin Bennett, C. B. Martin, Maudine Martin Durham, Tessie Martin, Ocie D. Martin, James Martin, and Joe Martin.

So many compassionate people came into our home to help us battle this cancer and allow Marty to remain at home until the end. The wonderful staff of Minden Medical Home Health helped him initially, especially Ed Vanderdocken who worked so tirelessly to help him recover some of his independence and Liz Allen, his nurse. The entire Aime (Gamble) Hospice team worked diligently to make his last months as comfortable as possible. The family was so blessed that, with their assistance, he was able to live out his last days in his home. All the CNA’s took such dedicated care of him, Bea, Jasmine, Julie, Precious and so many more. We would especially like to thank Bea, his main caregiver. She always treated him with dignity and compassion, and did all she could to make his daily life as easy as possible. We thank all the nurses, too many to count, who assisted his wife in trying to give him the best quality of life possible. May God bless them all for the work that they do everyday.

The family would like to also thank Dr. Christopher Earnhardt, Dr. Michael Chanler, Dr. Roscoe Chan, and Dr. Christopher Snead. This was a difficult journey, but they did their best to help him try to defeat this terrible disease.

He was privileged to be supported by so many loving people, especially our family. He was truly touched by their devotion to him and the love they showed us both. We would also like to thank the Bobby Johnson Equipment family for being such good Christian stewards. They supported us in so many ways and prayed for him daily. Family, friends, and people we didn’t know personally lifted his name in prayer everyday, prayers that sustained us for so many months.

In lieu of flowers, the family would ask that you make a donation to Gideons International or the American Cancer Society.