Alma June “Sis” Martin
lma June “Sis” Martin
Alma June “Sis” Martin went to join her husband Herb in their heavenly home early in the morning of April 23, 2018. She was born June 3, 1923 in Tremont, PA., to Clarence and Alma Kehler. Raised in Tremont and Pottsville, PA, Sis attended Penn State University, where she graduated Summa Cum Laude. Shortly after graduation, she married her lifelong partner Herbert H. “Herb” Martin. Beginning with their wedding on April 13, they started a partnership lasting 69 years until Herb’s death in 2015. Their family included four children and grew with the addition of 10 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. Her adult life was focused on family, of which she was most proud.
Sis was quite mobile, as Herb’s work required frequent moves. After living for 15+ years in Pottsville, the family moved to south Alabama, on to Illinois and finally settling in Fort Payne, where they lived for the next 40 years. Her final years were spent in Homewood, AL.
Family was not her only accomplishment – far from it. She was always energetic and engaged, and spent her adult life giving her all to her community and her work, while being the unquestioned mainstay of her family. Wherever she lived, Sis was an involved member of the Methodist church. For much of her life, she balanced work, volunteerism and caring for her family. Sis worked for the Fort Payne Chamber of Commerce, the DeKalb County Tourist Association and the United Givers Fund. To all her work she brought boundless energy and an amazing talent for creativity, organization and communication.
One of her proudest accomplishments was her involvement in the creation of the Alabama Welcome Center on I-59. She loved that it allowed a much larger exposure to the beauty of her adopted home of Alabama.
She always enjoyed travel, putting together amazing family vacations throughout her life. That love for travel and adventure continued for Sis and Herb through their retirement.
She was preceded in death by her husband Herbert H. Martin. She is survived by her children, Michele Pixley (Rick); Melinda Springfield (Thomas); Mike Martin (Shonie); and Herb Martin (Marynm); 10 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
A celebration of Sis’ life and legacy will be held in Ft. Payne on Saturday, May 12 at the First United Methodist Church at 2:00 p.m., with a reception to follow at 3:00, also at the church.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests any gifts be sent to her church in Ft Payne (First United Methodist Church, 206 Grand Ave NW, Ft Payne AL 35967).