yesterday's tennessee

ELMER M. MARTIN

from the obituary collection of Novella Tole

Homegoing Celebration for
Reverend Dr. Elmer M. Martin

Saturday, May 18, 1991
12:00 Noon

St. Andrew A.M.E. Church
867 South Parkway East
Memphis, Tennessee

Dr. U. A. Hughey
Brown Chapel A.M.E. Church
Cincinnati, Ohio
Officiating

OBITUARY

On January 5, 1918, a set of twins, one of which was REV. ELMER M. MARTIN, was born to the late Henry and Lula Martin.

"Bill," fondly called by his family was educated in the Wartrace, Tennessee Schools and went on to receive a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Philosophy. Rev. Martin better prepared himself for his call to the Ministry by obtaining a Masters of Divinity from Payne Theological Seminary in Wilberforce, Ohio. He also received an honorary Doctorate from Payne Theological Seminary for which he later served on the Board of Trustees.

In 1944, he married the late Mary Willie Thompson. To this union four children were born: Claretta (deceased), Judith, Elmer and Joseph.

For more than 45 years, Rev. Martin dedicated his life to 4 A.M.E. Church congregations; including St. Paul in Cincinnati, Ohio, St. Paul in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Greater Bethel in Nashville, Tennessee and St. Andrew in Memphis, Tennessee.

For the last 32 years, Rev. Martin's drive and undaunted convictions have brought about a numerous accomplishments including, but not limited to the followings:

1.  

2. relocation of the church to its present site;

3.  

4. organization and the operation of the Ernestine Rivers Day Care and Kindergarden;

5.  

6. exceptional increase in church membership;

7.  

8. influence of 15 young persons into the ministry;

9.  

10. 9-fold increase in the church's assets;

11.  

12. unconditional counseling and support to persons with pressing problems;

13.  

14. organization of the first Membership Aide Society for membership loans,

15.  

16. publication of a weekly newspaper;

17.  

18. thousands of hospital and nursing home visits; and

19.  

20. premature payment of a $162,500 mortgage payment.

Aside from his dedication to St. Andrew, Rev. Martin was once affiliated with the Onward Lodge 321 A.F. & A.M. and was a lifetime member of the NAACP.

Rev. Martin's strong, silent, yet gentle nature will be forever missed by his daughter, Mrs. Judith Martin Copeland of Toledo, OH; 2 sons, Rev. Elmer S. Martin, Louisville, KY, and Mr. Joseph G. Martin, Memphis, TN; a foster son, Rev. Rodney S. Thomas of Cleveland, OH; son-in-law, Mr. Odis L. Copeland, Jr., 2 daughters-in-law, Mrs. Linda Martin and Mrs. Cassaundra Thomas; sister, Mrs. Thelma Patterson, Nashville, TN, brother, Mr. Ernest Martin, Wartrace, TN; sister-in-law, Mrs. Alice Fitzpatrick; 5 grandchildren, Karla, Frederick, Lula, Rickie and Rodney Imani; 2 nieces, 1 nephew; a very special friend, Ms. Cherri Newson, and an enormous host of friends.

Activie Pallbearers
Ronald Newson, Lewis Harris, Rev. David Strong, Rev. Robert Keesee, Rev. Curtis Byrd, Rev. L. C. Adkins, Rev. Walter Cox, Rev. Spencer Booker

Honorary Pallbearers
Ministers of the Thirteenth Episcopal District, West Tennessee Missionary Society, West Tennessee Lay Organization, Young People Department of St. Andrew A.M.E. Church, Past and Present Stewards and Trustees of St. Andrew A.M.E. Church

Fower Bearers
St. Andrew Usher Boards, Ministers' Wives

Entombment
NEW PARK MAUSOLEUM
Memphis. Tennessee

Arrangments & ProfessionaI
Services by
R. S. LEWIS & SONS FUNERAL HOME
374 Vance Avenue
Memphis, Tennessee 38126
(901) 526-3264

St. Andrew A.M.E. Church
Memphis, Tennessee

Printed by
CALDWELLS PRINTING SERVICE
Mrs. Annetis G. L CaldweIl. Proprietress
1233 Phillips Place
Memphis. TN 38106
(901) 774-5617/948-0273

 

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