Martha H Joshua

Martha “Marty” Harris Joshua entered into eternal peace surrounded by loving family on February, 16, 2015 at Hospice Home Care in Little Rock, Arkansas. A beloved wife, mother, twin, sister, daughter-in-law, aunt, cousin, neighbor, friend and business professional; she was born on November 1, 1953 in Lincolnton, Georgia to the late James A. Harris Sr., and Carrie Bell Covington Harris. The family moved to Augusta, Georgia when Marty was four years old. She was one of nine children born to this union, two of whom preceded her in death, James A Harris Jr. and John Harris. In addition, she was also preceded in death by her son, Ronald “Jr.”.

About Marty: In 1973, Marty started her career in Augusta for the Richmond County Government. In 1976 her career expanded into the hair care industry with M&M Products, Inc., the makers of Sta-Sof-Fro® (based in Atlanta, GA) and quickly became one of the company's top sales executives, being named M&M's Salesperson of the Year in 1981. Marty's dynamic presence in the marketplace and excellent rapport with distributors soon opened new opportunities and other leaders in the industry sought her expertise. She joined Soft Sheen Products, Inc., (based in Chicago, IL), and helped the company become the industry leader in the highly competitive Ethnic Hair Care Category. In 1983 she met the love of her life, Michael W. Joshua whom she fondly called “My Guy.” This love affair lead her to a career at J.M. Products, Inc. (the makers of ISOPLUS hair care products) where Michael’s father, the late Ernest P. Joshua Sr., was the owner/founder. Working her way through various departments of the business, Marty played an instrumental role in helping the company grow, ultimately leading the sales & marketing organization as Vice President. She has served on the boards of many charitable organizations including Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Pulaski County, Baptist Hospital Advisory Board, The Arkansas Repertory Theatre and the Little Rock Chamber of Commerce Minority Purchasing Council. She was a member of Holly Grove AME Church and a prior member of The Little Rock Chapter of The Links, Inc. Marty also served on the Board of Directors for The American Health & Beauty Aides Institute (AHBAI). In 2009, in partnership with daughter Mary Lee Joshua, Marty co-launched M3 Cosmetic Labs, LLC the makers of NexSheen Arganics, to fill a void in the Ethnic Hair Care Market. It was during their tenure as the sales & marketing powerhouses at J.M. Products, the mother-daughter team witnessed how fundamental changes in the Ethnic HBC market were affecting quality and innovation. Together, the two created a new brand that puts quality and innovation back in the limelight. Inspired by the industry's great pioneers, M3 poured extensive research into developing a product that mirrored the team's self image and, in the process, discovered the new generation in oil replenishment technology, Argan Oil. Today, M3 Cosmetics has distribution throughout the world, including North America, South America, Europe and Africa.

MARTY’S PASSION FOR BEAUTY: "I have always been inspired to bring beauty and science together solely for the hair care needs of people of color. From my early years I remember how difficult it was to have a product assortment that was designed for my kinky hair as well as that of my people. Even though I could afford to visit the beauty salon I always choose to do my own hair simply because I did not want a harsh build up of products that only gave me a temporary fix. I wanted to control the after effect of my hair's feel, look and health. Therefore I had to brew up different concoction to get the look and feel I desired; I tested my home remedies on everyone I came in contact with; my children, family members and friends until I found the right balance and ingredients and fragrance that worked in harmony for our hair texture. I'm a firm believer that you should not put a product on the market unless you know without a doubt and can stand behind it with a 100% guarantee that it does exactly what you say it will do... I feel that my hair is my glory, it empowers me and give me the self confidence I command as a business woman." Written by Marty Harris Joshua

Marty’s smile was contagious. Her smile was a beautiful smile of love, like an angelic ray of light. Marty was not all work and no play. She knew the importance of friendship and maintained a unique bond of friendship and loyalty among family, friends and business associates. She truly believed that friendship and love was essential to the soul. She knew how to have fun! She enjoyed taking trips with family and friends to various parts of the world. Marty also took pride in reading, writing, “singing” and dancing. She was an avid gardener. She never took anything for granted; she read all the rulebooks to make sure everything was well understood and done correctly. Marty enjoyed devoting her creativity toward various hair styling techniques, fashion design in clothing, and interior decorating while often time experimenting with arrangements for her home. Her home was her castle. She loved a neat, clean home environment to welcome hospitality. She was an excellent chef, whose many visitors can attest to the welcoming atmosphere she created, with delicious and beautifully presented meals and lively conversation, spiced with laughter and love. Most of all, Marty truly loved her family-both immediate and extended and always had funny words of encouragement and love to share.

Marty loved God and loved to give. Her favorite bible scripture was the 23rd Book of Psalms. She was known for donating time, improving communities where needed and giving money to many charities. When Marty was a member of The Little Rock Chapter of Links, she, along with friends in the chapter, implemented a Community Garage Sale, Positive Day of Indulgence, TAPS ( Togetherness Allows Positive Solutions ) , Jazzy Jeans and Jewels, and many other projects. In Marty’s passing, her spirit of generosity and service to others will continue through the donations being made to her family church, Holly Grove AME Church, under the stewardship of Rev. Charles B. Frost, Sr. Marty’s legacy of good works will live on.

Prior to Marty moving to Arkansas, she was a member of the Good Hope Baptist Church in Augusta, Georgia under the leadership of Rev. J. R. Hatney, where she served on the Usher Board. Whenever she was in Augusta, she would go by the church to visit with the Pastor and members. She was a current member of the Holly Grove AME Church, in North Little Rock, where she had also served on the Usher Board. Marty always strived to give and to help improve and expand the church. One year she came up with the idea to have a Tour of Homes Christmas Decorating Contest. Due to Marty’s love for decorating during the Christmas holidays, she made this project a treat and deemed all proceeds to benefit the Holly Grove Church Building Fund.

After a valiant 10 month fight against lung cancer, she passed away on Monday, February 16, 2015. Throughout her illness, she maintained her sense of humor, compassion for others, love of family and most of all, faith in God. She leaves to mourn her passing her loving and devoted husband of nearly 32 years, Michael W. Joshua Sr., daughter, Mary Lee Joshua, of Atlanta, Georgia; son, Michael W. Joshua, Jr., of Little Rock, Arkansas; sisters, Shirley Lanham of Augusta, Georgia; twin sister, Mary L. Harris of Johannesburg, South Africa; Idell Harris and Louise Mathis of Augusta, Georgia; Fannie H. Livings and Sidonia Renee’ Harris of Atlanta, Georgia; a mother-in-law, Thelma Joshua of Little Rock, Arkansas; and a host of brothers-in-laws, sister-in-law, cousins, nieces and nephews along with many close friends and business associates.