Darline Maria Martin

Darline was born in San Antonio, TX on January 19, 1945, and grew up in LaGrange, TX with her parents, Richard and Dorothy Bernshausen. During her childhood, she spent most of her summers at her grandparents' farm and held those memories close as some of the happiest times of her life. Darline enjoyed participating in activities such as churning butter, gardening, and spending quality time with her beloved grandparents.

Darline first met her ex-husband, Carl L. Martin, when she was fifteen years old, thanks to her older brother Richard (also known as Sonny-Boy) Bernshausen. They tied the knot on April 7, 1961, in a small ceremony surrounded by their loved ones. Their first child, Carl L. Martin Jr. (Dino), was born in August of the same year, and over the next few years, they welcomed three sons (Michael, John, and Christopher) and a daughter (Veronica, also known as Mitzie). However, Darline's family wasn't complete just yet. In August 1970, they were blessed, with the arrival of two baby girls, Jodie Lynn and Teresa Jane, whom they considered a wonderful surprise from God. Despite the challenges of raising seven children, Darline devoted her life to caring for her family and ensuring that their home was a safe and loving place. She made it look effortless, but it was clear that her hard work and dedication made all the difference.

Darline began working for the Channelview Independent School District to supplement the family's income. She remained employed there for more than three decades until her retirement, prompted by her injured shoulders.

During the holidays, my mother was a big fan of Christmas. She loved to decorate the entire house, from the floors to the ceilings and walls. I have fond memories of the gift-giving festivities, where presents were handed out and sometimes even thrown around the room, causing much excitement as we tore off the wrapping paper. My brother Michael always started a paper ball fight, which would sometimes irritate Mom, but as time passed, it became one of our cherished Christmas traditions. Every year, Mike would begin crafting paper balls, and Mom would yell, "Michael Brian, you better not," but the battle had already begun. I think deep down, Mom enjoyed it as much as we did.

Easter was a significant holiday in our family, and my mom went above and beyond to make it special. She would stuff hundreds, and I mean hundreds of eggs for us to find in the front yard. It was always exciting to search for them, and we never imagined that the "Easter Bunny" was hiding baskets in the backyard at the same time. As we grew older, we figured out how that magic worked.

Thanksgiving was always a special occasion for our family. Mom cherished the holiday as she enjoyed cooking and spending time with her loved ones. Any opportunity for the family to gather was a reason to celebrate.

The holidays became even more special with the arrival of grandchildren in our family. From June 1984 until now, our beloved Mom (Grandma) was blessed with sixteen grandchildren, nine boys and seven girls. Throughout the years, these grandchildren have gifted us with great-grandchildren. At the time of her passing, Mom had a total of twenty-three great-grandchildren, ranging from two months to twenty-one years old.

Darline Maria Martin is proceeded in death by her son Carl (Dino) Martin, son Michael Martin, son John Martin, daughter Veronica (Mitzie) Martin, father Richard E. Bernshausen, mother Dorothy Vickery, stepfather Jim Vickery, brother Richard (Sonny-Boy) Bernshausen, brother Raymond (R. B.) Bernshausen, sister Dorothy Bernshausen, brother Eddie Daniels, son-in-law Gary Crawford, and daughter-in-law Mary Martin.

I want to express my gratitude to my sister Teresa and nephew Byron for taking excellent care of mom for the past year. Our family also appreciates everyone who came to celebrate the life of Darline Martin. A special thanks goes to Father Rick for taking the time to be present, which means a lot to us and our mother.

It's hard to put into words how empty I feel without you. You were an exceptional person - strong, caring, and generous. I've never met anyone quite like you. We were incredibly lucky to have you as our mother, and you embodied everything a parent should be. Coming to terms with your passing is a difficult process.

A visitation for Darline will be held Sunday, September 10, 2023 from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Earthman Baytown Funeral Home, 3919 Garth Road, Baytown, Texas 77521. A funeral service will occur Sunday, September 10, 2023 from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM, 3919 Garth Road, Baytown, Texas 77521. A committal service will occur Sunday, September 10, 2023 from 3:30 PM to 4:00 PM at Earthman Memory Gardens Cemetery, 8624 Garth Rd, Baytown, Texas 77521.

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