Earnest Jerry Martin

Earnest Jerry Martin passed away peacefully on the evening of March 10, 2025 just two months shy of his 96th birthday. Jerry lived a very long, blessed life, full of family, friends, farming and faith.

Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday March 15th at the Seymour Church of Christ, interment immediately following at the Seymour Masonic Cemetery under the direction of Archer Funeral Home. Visitation with the family will be held from 6 to 7 pm on Friday March 14, at the funeral home.

He was born on the family farm in Westover, Texas on April 27, 1929 to Edd and Lillie Martin. He was the 10th child of his family. His dad passed away when he was a year old, leaving his mother with nine living children, during the Great Depression. His older brothers and sisters filled the gap, each playing a significant role in carrying on with the family farming business and raising little Jerry. When World War II broke out, his older brothers, Johnnie and Wesley entered the service. The older siblings were already married and had young families. This left a very young Jerry to take over the farming operation. He graduated from Seymour High School in 1947, with his high school sweetheart, Joan. He attended Texas Tech where he was a member of the Rodeo Club and participated in Golden Gloves boxing. Jerry and Joan married on August 1, 1951, continuing in the farming operations until he passed. Jerry was a faithful member of the Seymour Church of Christ , where he had served as a deacon and taught youth Bible classes for many, many years.

Jerry was preceded in death by his daddy, William Edd Martin; his mother, Lillie Viola Brannan Martin; his brothers Earl, Chester, J. T., Travis, Johnnie, and Wesley Martin; his sisters Viola Martin Henderson, Flora Martin Fry, and Lydia Martin Young. Survivors include his wife of 73 years, Joan; his son Hot Rod Martin and wife Meryl; his daughters Gaye Martin Reeves and husband George, Cathy Martin Young and husband Barry, and Cindy Martin Foster and husband John. He is also Pop to 12 grandchildren, Desirae, Mandy, Cole, Matt, Julie, Jake, Will, Ryan, Drew, Codi, Cailey and Hannah, along with 11 great grandchildren. He also is survived by many beloved nieces and nephews, friends, family and outlaws.

The family would like to express their heartfelt appreciation to all of the nurses and staff who loved and took care of him at Seymour Hospital Home Health, Beyond Faith Hospice, as well as the nurses and staff at Seymour Rehab and Healthcare. If one so desires, it is the family’s wish that memorials be made to the Baylor County Junior Livestock Show, P.O. Box 4, Seymour, Texas 76380,  Sonshine Days Food Giveaway Program, 500 N. East, Seymour, Texas 76380 or the Baylor County 4H Scholarship Fund, 500 N. Main Street, Seymour, Texas 76380.