Kathy Thompson Martin

Kathy Lilundea Martin was born on November 5, 1951, in Pineville, Louisiana, to the late Dorothy Mae Thompson Griffin and James "Jimmy" Beatty Addison. She was the eldest of all of her siblings, and as the oldest, Kathy acted as the boss, the babysitter, the mediator, and the disciplinarian. Kathy never wanted to be a burden, always wanted to be a light, and was known to say, "We not gonna sweat the small stuff." It was important for her to get the family together, acting as the glue, and be her mother's right hand. Being a mother and grandmother was one of Kathy's greatest joys.
Kathy resided in Alexandria, Louisiana, for most of her life. She attended Peabody Magnet High School until her senior year, where she was part of the first integrated senior class at Bolton High School. She married Robert "Bobby" Louis Davis in August 1973. From that union, there were two children: Yvonne Anderika and Robert Anthony. While committed to their children, they later divorced.
Throughout her early adulthood, Kathy worked as a retail specialist at Sears Roebuck & Company. She was known to provide personalized consultations to families in houseware, helping to make their house a home. She retired after 20 years.
She later reconnected with a childhood classmate and, in July 1994, married U.S. Army Sergeant Major Charles Edward Martin, who predeceased her. Charles entered the union with two children: Maurice and Michael. The U.S. Army took her and Charles to Lexington, Virginia, and Vilseck, Germany. Although a military spouse for a short time, Kathy enjoyed hosting and helping soldiers and their families. Kathy brought her retail experience to Germany, working at the Army Air Force Exchange Service. She traveled to many nearby countries such as Spain, Italy, Austria, and Poland, where she enjoyed exploring the different cultures and SHOPPING!! Charles and Kathy later divorced.
Upon her return from Europe, Kathy worked at Montgomery Ward, and even fulfilled her teenage wish to work on an offshore rig in the Gulf of Mexico. Afterwards, Kathy returned to work on land with St. Mary's Residential Community and Services and the Renaissance Youth Home in Alexandria, LA. Her loving spirit made many lasting impressions on the youth at Renaissance. She retired in January 2022.
Once retired, Kathy focused on serving her community. During the hurricane season, she worked with the general and special needs shelters. She fed the homeless and participated in clothes drives sponsored by her church. Kathy also worked with a local food bank and delivered food to families in the community.
Kathy was a devoted and active member of Newman United Methodist Church of Alexandria, LA, since her childhood. Up until her passing, she served as a communion steward, President of the usher board, and a member of the United Methodist Women. She also served on the hospitality committee and assisted with vacation bible school.
Kathy loved to shop. She always took advantage of a sale or clearance. She loved a good estate sale, antiquing, and going to an old-school mall. Her biggest challenge was where she would put all of her loot, and that loot found its way to those she loved.
Kathy was the family baker. Many experienced her creative and tasty treats, often gifting them for birthdays and holidays. She was most known for her moist red velvet, buttermilk pound, and german chocolate cakes, buttermilk pies, and a variety of Christmas cookies and candies. She was always looking for a new recipe to try.
We cannot talk about the life of Kathy without mentioning the relationship she had with her mother, Dorothy. Beginning as "Mu", affectionately known as Diddie, she was ultimately Kathy's lifelong best friend. They worshipped together, worked in the church/ community together, and traveled together. Later in life, when you saw one you often saw the other.
Kathy passed away on June 6, 2025, at CHRISTUS Saint Frances Cabrini Hospital in Alexandria, LA after an illness; exactly five years and five days after her mother.
Those left to honor her memory are her two children: Yvonne Anderika (Christopher) Glover of National Harbor, Maryland, and Robert Anthony (Fabiola) Davis of Dallas, Texas. She has five grandchildren: Christian Elijah Glover (Luna), Briah Anastasia Glover, Abigail Hernandez-Davis, Jason Hernandez-Davis, and Dallas Anthony Davis; six siblings: Gwendolyn Jones of Alexandria, LA; Wilbur (Deborah) Griffin of Nash, TX; Rosia Griffin of Shreveport, LA; Mallory Hunter of Houston, TX; Mark Griffin of Alexandria, LA; and Eddie Ray of Jonesville, LA; three godchildren: Anderika and Alcie Maxwell of Bossier City, LA and Mallory Cleveland of Hot Springs, AR. She is survived by two aunts: Johnnie Bowman of Los Angeles, CA, and Bobbie Jean Thompson of South Gate, CA; and a host of nieces and nephews.