Mary Theresa Martin

Mary Theresa Martin, a native citizen of Brunswick and first generation Portuguese descendant, passed away on July 8, 2023 at the age of 93 in a nursing home where she was recuperating from a debilitating hip and back injury. She had been under the care of Hearth Hospice for her congestive heart failure since November of 2022.

Above all, Mary, known as Teresa by many, was a devoted wife to Arthur N. Martin and mother to their five children. Her family was her life. As an only child herself, she grew up knowing that she wanted to have a home full of children. Through her long marriage of almost 60 years, her time with family was most important to her. After Arthur passed from lung cancer, she appreciated the fact that they had enjoyed retirement together, traveling and camping for 30 years. Though they camped across the country often, they enjoyed living half the year in Brunswick and half the year in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, in the Smoky Mountains.

Mary was a devout Catholic and an active member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church her entire life. Her connection to the church also led to a job as an art teacher in the St. Francis Xavier Catholic School for some time. Mary had many talents that led to many jobs and volunteering opportunities for her. Her devotion to preserving the Portuguese memories and cuisine of Brunswick culminated in the publishing of her book Reflections of Little Portugal in Old Town Brunswick: A Taste of Portuguese Culture & Cuisine, which sold over 5000 copies. She loved working with children. After her own five children had grown, she became a teacher's aide at Risley Elementary for the Glynn County Public School System for 7 years.

Among her many talents, she painted in oils, made and painted skirts that sold on the islands, including at the Cloister Hotel, and crocheted many pieces of wearable art and home items. One of her more memorable jobs was with the Gail Moore School of Dance where she worked as a secretary while her daughters learned to dance. This led to her designing costumes for the Brunswick Civic Ballet Company and her acting performances in many of the ballets. Her main creative passion in her later years was quilting. She created many quilts of all sizes for family and friends, many for organizations to raffle off for causes, and at least 30 lap quilts that she created and donated to Safe Harbor for the kids to find some comfort in having one to hold as their own in a very difficult time.

She was preceded in death by her husband Arthur Martin in 2007, her beloved mother Mary T. Martin, her beloved Uncle Joe Santos, her father John Martin, and her son-in-law Mike Wells in 2023. She is survived in life by her five children and their spouses, Shirley Ann Snell and Rob, Robert (Bobby) Arthur Martin and Karen, Larry Joseph Martin and Sharon, Christina (Tina) Martin Brasington and Robert, Gloria Martin Wells; her grandchildren and spouses Dawn Martin Simpson and Tommy , Kristy Martin Corbitt and Dustin, Chris Brasington and Codie, Jessica Brasington Banks and Trevor, Michelle Wells Jackson and Chris, and Matthew Wells; her great-grandchildren and spouses Andy Simpson and Logan, Carleigh Simpson, Clay Simpson, Tucker Corbitt, Micah Banks, Kimber Banks; and a great-great grandchild due this fall.

The family will receive friends at Edo Miller & Sons Funeral Home on Wednesday, July 12, 2023, from 6-8 with a Rosary to follow. The funeral service will be held at St. Francis Xavier Church at 10:00 AM on Thursday, July 13, 2023. It will be officiated by Father Tim McKeown. Interment will follow in Palmetto Cemetery of Brunswick and a reception afterward at the St. Francis Xavier Church Hall.

Active pallbearers will be Matthew Wells, Chris Jackson, Andy Simpson, Clay Simpson, Dustin Corbitt, and Tucker Corbitt. Honorary pallbearers are Chris Brasington and Trevor Banks. Any and all members of the Portuguese community and their descendants and families are invited to be honorary pallbearers.

The family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Scottish Rite Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.edomillerandsons.com for the Martin family.