Helen Martin

Helen Ann Houck Martin, born on July 9, 1938, in Memphis, Tennessee, passed away at her home on February 22, 2024, in Lexington, Kentucky, at the age of 85. A native of Kentucky, she graduated from Fort Knox High School in 1956. As an adult, Helen lived in Baton Rouge, Louisiana for 10 years, and then for 8 years in Paintsville, Kentucky, before permanently settling in Lexington.
Helen was a hard-working member of the Kentucky Department of Vocational Rehabilitation for over 30 years. She advocated the teaching of American Sign Language (ASL) in high schools as a requirement to graduate in order to provide equality to Deaf individuals in Kentucky.
She was a proud graduate of Centre College of Kentucky in the class of 1960 and supported her alma mater throughout her lifetime. Both of her sons attended Centre as well. In her leisure time, Helen enjoyed playing golf with friends, gardening, and exploring the world through travel adventures after her retirement.
Helen is survived by her two sons, DeVaul and Patrick Martin, her three grandchildren, Dannielle, Devon, and Liam Martin, as well as a niece, Susan Nelson and a nephew, Bruce Coats. She was preceded in death by her parents, Todd DeVaul and Katharen Ludlow Houck, and her sister, Elaine Coats, and her nephew, Todd Coats.
A Memorial Service to celebrate Helen's life will be held at Kerr Brothers Funeral Home at 463 East Main Street, Lexington, Kentucky, at 2 pm on Saturday, March 16th, 2024. Helen's legacy of dedication and advocacy will forever be cherished by those who knew and loved her. Donations in memory of her can be made to the Lexington Humane Society.