Clarece Redden Martin

Clarece Redden Martin, age 95, of Jacksonville, formerly of Roswell, Georgia, passed away October 8, 2016 at Westminster Woods on Julington Creek. She was born to Hubert and Kela Redden of Corsicana, Texas on April 27, 1921.

Clarece graduated from the University of Texas with a degree in Journalism. In 1943 she married Capt. Palmer Lee Martin of the US Army Air Forces.

She and Lee lived in Dayton, Ohio at Wright Field during WWII and then moved to California where he began is life long career with Lockheed Aircraft. In the early 50’s they moved to Atlanta and then to Roswell, Georgia in 1971.

Clarece and Lee were long term members of the Roswell Presbyterian Church.

After her children left for college she began her own career. Clarece received her Master’s Degree in Humanities from the University of California at San Diego and then became deeply involved in the history of Roswell, Georgia. She wrote the guidebook for Bulloch Hall and helped establish the City Archives and the Fire Museum in Roswell among many other local projects.

In total she wrote 4 books and was a contributing author to 5 more, she also wrote numerous articles for local and national publications. She did key archival work for The Sea Island Company, The Shepherd Spinal Center, the East Lake Golf Club, The Collin Street Bakery and The Westminster Schools. She served on the Boards of several historical and professional organizations and was a Trustee of the Theodore Roosevelt Association.

Clarece was listed in the International Who’s Who of Professional and Business Women.

Clarece and Lee loved to travel and traveled extensively in the US and visited over 40 foreign countries.

She was pre-deceased by her husband of 63 years, Palmer Lee Martin and her brother, William Redden. She is survived by her son, Gary West Martin (Lisa) of Jacksonville, Florida; daughter Susan Martin Chapman (Michael) of Burns, Tennessee; 5 grandchildren; and 4 great grandchildren.

The family wishes to thank the staff at Westminster Woods and Community Hospice of Northeast Florida for the extraordinary and loving care she received.

A private graveside service will be held at the Roswell Presbyterian Church at a later date.

Memorial gifts and donations should be directed to the Alzheimer's Association at http://www.alz.org/donate or Community Hospice Foundation, 4266 Sunbeam Road, Jacksonville, FL 32257 or https://support.communityhospice.com/donate

Arrangements are under the care and direction of Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home of Mandarin, 11801 San Jose Blvd. Jacksonville, FL 32223. www.hgmandarin.com (904) 288-0025.