Miyoko Iwashita Martin

She was born in Miyagi, Japan on the island of Kyushu, on June 10th, 1932. She was the 5th child of 7 children born to Japanese parents. She met and married Roy J. Martin on February 11th, 1953 in Yokohama, Japan, where he was stationed while serving in the United States Army. At the age of 21, unable to speak or understand the English language, she left her family and home in Japan and bravely came to the United States with her new husband. She traveled to many military bases (Texas, Pennsylvania, California, Alabama, France and Germany to name a few) where she lovingly made each place a “home” for her family. Roy and Miyoko were married for 62 years until he passed in 2015.

Living in the United States and becoming an American citizen was very important to Miyoko. With much determination, she earned her American citizenship in the 1960’s. Her belief in God also became an important part of her life as she chose to accept Christ as her Savior and became very involved in a Japanese Christian Bible study.

Miyoko was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother who unselfishly loved and served her family.

She was very talented, creative and artistic. She loved to cook for others, sew, knit, crochet, play the harmonica, draw and tell stories to her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Her passion for art and creativity carried into the later months of her life as she spent much of her time coloring at the art table at Fairmont Senior Living. Her greatest life’s passion was spending loving time with her family. She had a way of making everyone around her laugh with her jokes, stories and spunky sense of humor.

Miyoko is preceded in death by her husband, Roy Martin, and grandson, Stephen Collins. She is survived by her daughters; Betty Taylor (spouse - Tim Flick); Barbara Collins; Grandchildren; Stephanie Thoma (spouse - Adam Thoma); Brittanie Buckley (spouse - Thunder Higgenbotham); David Collins; Great Grandchildren; Madison, Reagan, Kate and Samuel Thoma; Samantha and Emberly Buckley; and Marly and Silas Collins.

While we are suffering the loss of Miyoko’s physical presence, her love, laughter, sense of humor, memories and spirit will always remain in the hearts of all who knew and loved her.

Our family would like to invite you to her visitation and celebration of life services at Tobias Funeral Home in Beavercreek on Tuesday, August 26th, 2025 from 5-7pm.

Her burial and internment will be held at Ft. Sam Houston Cemetery, San Antonio, Texas on Friday, September 19th at 11am.