Willie Martin

Willie Martin

Jackson

Willie Thelma Barnes Martin, affectionately known as "T-Baby", was born July 25, 1921, to the late Walter Barnes and Emma Whitaker Barnes in Utica, Mississippi.

Willie married the late Julious Martin, Sr., the love of her life, on December 24, 1941. Over the course of their 57 years of marriage, they had 9 children. Willie and Julious raised their children in Jackson. A very giving and caring person, nothing pleased her more than providing a loving and nurturing home for her family. Willie delighted in gardening and was especially pleased to see the results of her hard work. An avid reader, she explored a variety of subjects. Always with a smile, she had a smart word or witty response to anything that was spoken to her. Whenever she was affectionately told "I love you", her response was "I love you more."

Foremost, Willie loved "the good Lord." She was an active member of Friendship Missionary Baptist Church, Jackson, Mississippi, until Julious retired and they returned to their roots in Utica. Upon their return, they jointly worshiped (to Julious' delight) at Mt. Zion Christian Methodist Episcopal Church. Upon his death in 1999, she became an active member of Mt. Wade M.B. Church, the church of her youth, where she served on the Mother's Board, member of the Healing Zone Senior Citizens' Ministry, and actively participated in skits and other programs. A determined and focused person, at the age of 68, "T-Baby" received her driver's license, first car with the personalized tag, "T-Baby-1", and enjoyed driving to church.

On January 31, 2012, Willie was called home to meet the Lord. Preceding her in death were: her husband, Julious Martin, Sr.; two daughters, Mary Frances and Julia Mae; son, Anslen Jerome; and granddaughter, Chenise Danielle Lyles.

Willie leaves to cherish her memory: daughters, Hazel (Aubrey) Willacy of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, Betty Booker of Atlanta, Georgia, Dorothy Portis of Jackson, Barbara (Edward) Blackmon of Canton, and Eunice Harris of Madison; son, Julius (Jacqueline) Martin of Jackson; thirteen grandchildren: Felicia Robinson, Atlanta, Georgia; Austin Keith Willacy, Berkeley, California; Sonia Anderson, Atlanta, Georgia; Louis Samuel Willacy, Oakland, California; Raymond Lamar Portis II, Madison; Danica Rivello, Philadelphia, PA; Damion Ryan Portis, Jackson; DeAnslen Martin, Oceanside, California; Jasmine Martin Smith, Jackson; Madison Edward Blackmon, Atlanta, Georgia; Justin Sinclair Martin, Jackson; Shoimeka Martin, Oceanside, California; and Bradford Jerome Blackmon, Oxford, Mississippi; and nine great-grandchildren. Willie also leaves to mourn her passing: a special niece, Emma Jean Welch; a faithful friend and neighbor, Ella Bell; a devoted caregiver, Tammy Flowers; and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins who loved her dearly.