Marjorie "Marty" Anne Martin

Marjorie Anne (Marty) Martin met her Savior Jesus face to face on Monday, May 12, 2025 after a relatively short illness. Marty was born on August 5, 1933 in Marietta, Ohio to Carl and Jenny (File) Ford. She was the oldest of four children, with younger brother John and sisters Lynne and Harriette Belle (Hetty). Carl worked for Goodyear and traveled around the country opening stores. As a result, the family moved a great deal – Marty said she went to five schools in the fifth grade. They eventually moved to Indian Hills in Grand Prairie when she was 14, and here she would spend the rest of her life.

Marty attended and graduated from Grand Prairie High School. Here she met classmate Jackie Martin’s older brother Billy. Though he was five years older they fell in love. They were married on July 7, 1951 – a marriage that lasted 52 years. Billy was a farmer in what was then the country outside of Grand Prairie. They lived in the Martin family “weaning house” and ultimately moved to the “old Martin home place.” They had three children: Steve, Greg, and Susie.

Following the generations of Martins before them, the family attended First Baptist Church of Grand Prairie – every time the doors were open. Through the influence of the Martin family (especially Lucy and Edie) Marty gave her life to Christ as a young mother. This changed the trajectory of her life as she spent the next 60+ years teaching children about Jesus at church. She was involved in almost every significant activity in the life of the church. She helped start the bus ministry at First Baptist, and for many years would visit children on Saturday and pick them up on the bus on Sunday.

Marty loved her family above all and enjoyed raising her children. While on the farm she taught them about God’s creation while Billy worked in the fields. She wrote a column for the Grand Prairie Daily News called “The South Forty.” When eminent domain claimed the home and farm in the country in 1968 the family moved into town in Grand Prairie. Billy established Billy Martin Real Estate and Marty became a realtor. As very much a “people person” she was very successful in selling homes and won several awards. She always cared about what was best for each family. She was also very involved in the community (Women’s Club and other civic organizations). When Billy served two terms on the Grand Prairie City Council, Marty enjoyed travelling with city contingencies to represent Grand Prairie in Washington and New York.

Marty was a very kind and generous person. She often picked up church members she saw walking to church. She gave generously (and usually anonymously) to people who were in need, especially those she loved in her family of faith. She often bought school clothes and supplies for children who were in need. Her greatest passion was teaching 5-year-old and later 3rd grade Sunday School classes. She was a master storyteller and knew how to capture their attention.

Billy entered Heaven in 2004, and Marty moved to the newly developed Curtis Wright Village. She was involved in the sale of many (if not most) of the homes there, and she enjoyed getting to know the folks in that community. She joined many of her family in serving at Matthew Road Baptist Church for the last 20 years, and continued to serve in teaching 3rd graders, serving to prepare Wednesday night meals, helping at VBS and other activities. She faithfully attended and encouraged.

Marty has been a wonderful sister, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She loved to take her grandchildren to look at Christmas lights each year and taught all of them in her 3rd grade class at church. Her great joy was to have the whole family at her house for a deliciously prepared Sunday meal. She has also been a faithful friend who could be counted on to love and help in every season of life for every person. She has taught hundreds and hundreds of children (and adults) about the love of Jesus by teaching them for decades and living the example of a godly woman. Most of all she has left a legacy of faith in Jesus Christ which has been embraced by all the generations she has left behind.

Marty was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 52 years Billy Gene Martin; parents Carl and Jenny Ford; son Steve Martin; son-in-law Terry Roberts; and precious great-grandson Henry Dean.

Marty is survived by son Greg Martin (Betsy) of Longview, daughter Susie Roberts of Grand Prairie; grandchildren Katy Martin, Mitchell Martin (Chrissy), Alex Dean (Alicia), and Maggie Kaspar (Jonathan). Her precious great-grandchildren include Logan, Ross, and Hope Martin; Julia, Lucy, and Norah Jane Dean; and Martin Kaspar. She is also survived by brother John Ford of Fairview, TX; sister Lynne Wagoner of Tyler, TX; and sister Hetty Schaeffer of Raleigh, NC.

A visitation will be held at Matthew Road Baptist Church (4601 Matthew Rd, Grand Prairie TX 75052) on Monday, May 19, 2025 from 5:00-7:00 PM. On Tuesday, May 20 there will be a graveside service at Moore Memorial Gardens (1219 N Davis Dr, Arlington, TX 76012) at 10:00 AM and at 1:00 PM there will be a celebration of Marty’s life at Matthew Road Baptist Church.

The family is forever grateful for all the expressions of love and the testimonies of those impacted by our mother. Those who wish to remember Marty in a special way may make gifts in her memory to the Children’s Ministry of Matthew Road Baptist Church (by mail to 4601 Matthew Rd, Grand Prairie TX 75052 or by Zelle at [email protected]).