Rebecca Helms Martin, 92 of 16 Martin Drive, Phenix City passed away peacefully at the home her husband built for her 73 years ago on February 22, 2021. She was surrounded by family who comforted her, sang hymns, read scripture, laughed, cried and reminisced of a life well lived. Mrs. Martin was born May 11, 1928 to the late Cary T. and Nellie Kate Helms in Talbotton, Georgia. Other than her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband Homer Cecil Martin, her sons Larry Douglas Martin, Thomas Edward Martin a daughter Carolyn Rebecca Tucker and sisters Cary Nell Heaton and Marie Brown.
Mrs. Martin graduated in 1945 from Talbotton High School. She briefly attended Georgia Southwestern University in Americus. In 1947, she married Cecil Martin and together they raised six children. She retired from the Russell County School District where she worked as a cafeteria manager at Ladonia Elementary School. Mrs. Martin attended The Phenix City Church of Christ where she taught Sunday school, and Ladies Bible Classes. She was a devout Christian and her love of Christ and his teachings were reflected in her daily life and in the kindness she showed toward others. An excellent cook, she found joy in preparing food and feeding anyone who would sit at her table. She loved the land and the bounty produced by planting seeds and reaping the vegetables and fruits of her efforts. Early summer mornings were spent picking from her garden and hot afternoons were spent shelling, snapping, peeling and preparing food for canning, preserving or freezing. The matriarch of a family numbering 73, she leaves a legacy of love, laughter, devotion to God and family.
Mrs. Martin is survived by a daughter-in-law, Sandra B. Martin, a son-in-law Terry Ray Tucker, a son, Ronald Gordon Martin, daughters-in-law Dawn Thrasher and Penny Martin, a daughter Susan M. Affleck and husband Mike, a son Mark Martin and wife Ramona, a sister, Margaret Ann Hammond, 28 grandchildren, 27 great grandchildren and 7 great-great grandchildren. While she will be sorely missed by her family, we rejoice in knowing that she is in the presence of her Creator and is in the company of her loved ones who have gone on before. She has fought the good fight, she has finished the race, she has kept the faith and she now wears her crown of righteousness.
The family will receive friends Thursday February 25, 2021 from 12:00 noon to 1:00 pm at the Phenix City Church of Christ prior to her funeral service at 1:00. A private family service will follow at the internment. The family respectfully asks that attendees wear masks and practice social distancing.
Flowers are appreciated but listed below are some charities that were special to Mrs. Martin. Donations in her memory would also be appreciated.
Wounded Warrior Project https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/
Rainbow Omega www.rainbowomega.org
ASPCA ASPCA | American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
American Cancer Society www.cancer.org
Columbus Hospice House Columbushospice.com
The Tuberous Sclerosis Alliance https://www.tsalliance.org/ways-to-give/
But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. Isaiah 40:31.
