Mother Bobbie Martin

Mother Bobbie Martin made her heavenly transition on May 1, 2022, at Franciscan Health Michigan City.

A celebration of her life will take place at noon on May 7, 2022, at New Hope Missionary Baptist Church with Pastor Jacarra Williams to give the eulogy. Burial will be at Swan Lake Memorial Gardens Cemetery. Viewing will be 10 a.m. May 7, 2022, and the family hour will be 11 a.m. until the time of celebration at New Hope Missionary Baptist Church.

Mother Martin was born on Sept. 11, 1927, in Humphrey, Arkansas, to the late Robert Poynter and Pearl (White) Poynter. On Sept. 21, 1947, in Humphrey, Arkansas, she married the love of her life and best friend, Clarence Martin; he preceded her in death on Oct. 16, 2010.

In 1952, Mother Martin and Clarence moved from Arkansas to Indiana to make Michigan City their home.

She was a faithful member of New Hope Missionary Baptist Church, where she served on the Mothers' and Mission Board, Intercessory Prayer Warrior, Prayer Band, Choir and Nurses Board for more than 44 years.

Mother Martin was a homemaker; she enjoyed cooking, feeding friends and family special meals on holidays, singing hymns and spending time with her children and grandchildren. She loved to travel, having traveled to Israel twice. Everyone always felt welcomed by Mother Martin's warm hugs. Her favorite saying was "I'm Blessed" when someone asked how she was doing.

She leaves to cherish fond memories her two children, Carolyn Martin-Harmon of Michigan City and Rickie (Chris) Martin of Bradford, Illinois; stepson, Ralph (Virginia) Martin of Michigan City; 14 grandchildren, Lawrence Johnson, April Johnson, Shaunte Gleason, Daniel Nikolic, Naomi (Sean) Liu, Amelia (Cornell) Branch, Ericka Harmon, Shawna Harmon and Dominique Harmon, Ronnie (Cresinda) Martin, Roslyn Horn, Roderick Martin, Amy (Tom) Pahs and Dannon Martin; 22 great-grandchildren; eight great-great-grandchildren; special cousin, Helen Harper of Chicago; special friends, Susie Collier, Arcelia Patten and Alberta Frasure, all of Michigan City, and Linda Hall of Little Rock, Arkansas; and the New Hope Church Family and a host of relatives.

Mother Martin is preceded in death by one sister, Pheban Whitmore; three sons, Willie L. Johnson, Don R. Martin and Larry O. Martin; daughter-in-law, Dewitt Martin; and special friend, Virginia Stark.