Funeral Services for Nelwyn “Nell” Martin, age 87, of Ruston, Louisiana were held Friday at Owens Memorial Chapel Funeral Home in Ruston, Louisiana with Reverend Damien Wilson officiating. Burial followed in Forest Lawn Cemetery in Ruston, Louisiana under the direction of Owens Memorial Chapel Funeral Home.
Nell was born November 27, 1934, in Baskin, Louisiana to George and Nancy Stephenson. She was married to her one and only sweetheart for 60 years, Kenneth “Jake” Martin, who preceded her in death.
She spent her life serving her Lord and attended the Ruston Church of God for over 75 years teaching Sunday School, serving as Secretary, Treasurer and Music Director as well.
Nell was proud of her upbringing in the cotton patch where she learned the meaning of hard work as well as devotion and love for her large family. All of her children and grandchildren treasure the many stories she told of playing football, baseball and shinny-on-the right with 10 brothers. She also taught the lesson of having very little material things and how that is not what will determine your happiness.
She moved to Ruston as a teenager where she met the love of her life, Jake Martin. Upon Jake’s return from the Korean War, they married and had 3 daughters.
Nell had a long working career as a telephone operator for 25 years and for the City of Ruston for 10 years.
Nell was an amazing seamstress making clothes for her daughters and sewing on numerous Boy Scout badges and patches for several grandsons. She enjoyed baking and decorating wedding cakes, birthday cakes, and “just because” cakes.
Nell is preceded in death by her husband, Jake Martin, her daughters, Velina McCullough and Vanieca Martin, her parents George and Nancy Stephenson, 10 brothers, 1 sister, 5 step-brothers and 2 foster-brothers.
She is survived by her daughter, Teresa Ranee Bruce of Lexington, KY. Grandchildren Denny McCullough (Estelle) of Columbus, Ohio; Lori McCullough of Ruston, LA; Kenneth “Sam” McCullough (Jennifer) of Haughton, LA; Jared McCullough (Katie) of Virginia Beach, VA; Sarah McCullough of Ruston, LA; Ben Bruce of Nashville, TN; Robbie Irby, Pamela Irby, Richie Irby, and Mason Irby, as well as 13 great grandchildren and her loving and devoted pets Toki and Mini.
Pallbearers will be Ben Bruce, Sam McCullough, Sean Palmer, Nicholas Palmer, Gavin McCullough and Aiden McCullough. Honorary pallbearers are her nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be 5:00- 7:00 PM, Thursday, November 3, 2022 at Owens Memorial Chapel Funeral Home in Ruston. To leave an online memorial message for the family, please visit www.owensmemorialfuneralhome.com.
