Sandra Martin

Sandra L. Martin was born July 24, 1947 to the late Alfred and Dartha Ruff. She gained her heavenly wings on Saturday, August 10, 2024 at UNC Rex Hospital in Raleigh, North Carolina, with her children by her bedside.
Sandra's insatiable thirst for knowledge led her to the Plainfield Public School District, where she laid the foundation of her education. She furthered her academic journey at Kean University in Union, New Jersey, where she earned a Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice, a testament to her dedication and perseverance.
Throughout her life, Sandra's unwavering love for her family, friends, and community was evident in everything she did. Her dedication to the youth and her proactive stance against gang violence in the Plainfield community was truly inspiring. Alongside her co-worker and friend Yvonne Watts, she initiated a gang awareness group that met weekly at the Second Street Youth Center. This group, which welcomed troubled teens from the city, boys and girls alike, conducted workshops on the importance of education and gang awareness.
Through this, the Teen Resource Center was established. The children would meet twice weekly to talk and have a place to go. The children would receive a full-course meal cooked by Sandra Martin at these meetings. Various organizations would come out and speak to the youth, like Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, N.O.B.L.E., and Jack and Jill Organization, to name a few. They also had students from Rutgers University come and tutor the children in various subjects and help with homework and school projects. Because of her outstanding commitment to youth in 2019, Second Street Youth Center awarded Sandra Martin the Early Childhood Innovation Award under the leadership of Leah Cates, Executive Director.
To broaden the children's horizons, Sandra Martin and the late Tanya Morgan acquired funds to take the children on trips that they never would have taken with their families. the children experienced trips to Great Wolf Lodge, Kings Dominion, Liberty Science Center, Nets Basketball games, Disney on Ice, and the biggest trip of them all: Walt Disney World in Florida.
Sandra was preceded in death by her husband, Earnest Martin, her parents, Alfred and Dartha Ruff, and her sister, Marie Ruff Prater.
Sandra is survived by her five (5) children: Marcus, Diane, John Paul, Javon, and Robert martin, two (2) granddaughters, Shamara Esaw and Se'Ray Marshall, one (1) great-granddaughter, Rylei Scruggs, a nephew, Rahaman Ruff, Sr. (Cleo), two nieces, Altarica Ruff (Jeffery) and Diamond Ruff Jordan, two sisters-in-law Essie Smith and Marjorie Marshall, one (1) brother-in-law Robert Prater, and a host of great-nieces, nephews, and cousins that she held dear to her heart.
Sandra's legacy of love, dedication, and community service will live on in the hearts of those she leaves behind. She will be deeply missed and forever remembered.