Virginia "Ginger" Darlene Martin

Virginia (Ginger) Darlene Martin was born on July 2, 1952 on Cooks Branch in Jeffersonville, KY. She was born in the same house as her mother on the family farm. Her birth father, Monroe Davis, and the father who raised her, Chester Bailey, preceded her in death. Also preceding her in death was two sisters, Brenda Smith and Lesha Bailey Carrington, four half-sisters, Genevieve Perkins, Bernice Byerly, Betty Carol Case, and Wilma Jean Muncie, one half-brother, J.M. Davis and a niece she thought the world of, Lesha Smith.

She is survived by her husband of 33 years, Bill Martin, a daughter who was the light of her life, Lesley Kayler, son, David Martin, her precious mother, Georgia Bailey, half-brother, Kepler Davis, nieces, Heather Michel, Brittany Hatton, a nephew Brian Smith, grand nieces, Carley Michel, Adelynn Hatton, Skye Lynn South, Callie Bowen, grandnephews Chase Chapman, Kenny Bowen, and Cole Michel, and a great grandniece Adeline South.

She also leaves behind many cousins she loved dearly as well as lifelong dear friends. The calls, the cards, the visits, the gifts, the candy, the flowers, the prayers, gave her such comfort in her last days. How blessed she was to have such great friends cross her path. Her last days during the Covid pandemic were made bearable by time spent at Lake Cumberland with Sue Henry and neighbors there, Esther Price candy from Rebecca, Marilyn Buchholz driving 10 hours to spend the day with her, Linda Vossler and Marty’s visits, visits from Joi Swartz, Sue Henry, Diana Tuggle, Linda Greaney, calls from Cheryl and Lori and so many others. The caring and love that was shown her was beyond anything she expected or felt she deserved.

Ginger graduated from Springboro High School, Sinclair Community College, and received her MSN from Andrews University. She had an insurance business for several years, was a paramedic with the Springboro Life Squad, worked as a nurse at Lebanon Country Manor, Middletown Hospital, Southview and Grandview Hospitals, Kettering Hospital, Florida Hospital, Bon Secours, and Holmes Regional Hospital. Ginger went into healthcare consulting and worked for Huron and Berkeley Research Group. During her employment with each of these organizations, Ginger was blessed with wonderful friends who she treasured and who remain her dear friends throughout her life.

Ginger lived a full life. She and her husband Bill Martin traveled extensively throughout the world. Ginger really didn’t have anything pressing on her bucket list at the time of her terminal diagnosis. She died a Christian, thankful for the 68 years of life God gave her and thankful for every family member and friend who she met in life and who she loved dearly. She wants everyone to know that this world is not our home, we are just passing through. She had a better home to go to. She will always be with you in spirit, loves each of you deeply, and looks forward to seeing you in her heavenly home one day.