CHECOTAH — MARTIN, Virgie, 90, homemaker, died Thursday. Services pending, Garrett Family Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Checotah.
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Virgie Lorene Williams Martin, 90 year old lifetime Checotah resident, died peacefully on Thursday, November 22, 2012 in Eufaula. She was born on Saturday, June 3, 1922 in Onapa, Oklahoma to Joe and Zelma Etchison Williams. Virgie grew up in Onapa where she received her education, graduating from Onapa High School. Virgie fell in love and before she married Dick Martin, picked cotton bolls to pay for their wedding rings, and on Friday, October 18, 1940 in Pryor, Oklahoma, she married the love of her life. After they married, they settled in Checotah where she worked hand in hand with Dick on the family ranch and dairy farm. She was a wonderful homemaker and the proud mother of three children, Betty, Rusty & Dusty. She was known to have had a big heart and would have done whatever it took to help provide for her family, she was the "BOSS". She was no stranger to hard work. Virgie would deliver over 60 gallons of milk in gallon jars a week around Checotah, make all her kids clothes, gardened, canned and was known to give a lot of it away. There were many days she also worked as a beauty operator, sometimes giving perms to 3 or more women at a time. She and Dick joined First Baptist Church on Sunday, October 20, 1950 were she was a devoted high school girls Sunday school teacher for many years. Virgie was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She will be deeply missed by all who loved and knew her. Virgie was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Dick Martin; daughter, Betty Blackburn; two brothers, Joe Roy and Leo Williams. Virgie is lovingly survived by her sons Rusty Martin of Checotah, OK; Dusty Martin and wife Carolyn of Edmond, OK; Grandchildren Krista McKnight and husband Steve of Broken Arrow, OK; Derek Blackburn and wife Dana of Broken Arrow, OK; Shannon Brady and husband Bill Dan of Healdton, OK; Kyla Millard and husband Malachi of Skiatook, OK; Thad Martin and wife Elichia of Edmond, OK; Leah Kasenurm and husband Kyle of Edmond, OK; Hayes Martin of Norman, OK; and Lillie Martin of Edmond, OK. Great-Grandchildren Grace McKnight, David McKnight, Meredith McKnight, Mackenzie Blackburn, Macy Blackburn, Maddison Blackburn, Martin Brady, Kadan Brady, Cheyenne Battles and Micalah Millard, Jocelyn Martin and Emerson Martin. Also surviving is her sister Oleta James of Checotah and numerous nieces, nephews, other extended family and a host of lifelong friends. In lieu of flowers, memorials are to be made in her memory to the Grief Share program of First Baptist Church 210 E. Jefferson Checotah, OK 74426. The family will greet friends 5 PM to 7 PM on Tuesday, November 27, 2012 at Garrett Family Funeral Home. A service celebrating the life of Virgie will be held 10:30 AM Wednesday, November 28, 2012 at the First Baptist Church of Checotah with Reverend Tim Turner and Reverend Wayne Brown officiating. Committal prayers and Interment will be held privately for the family in Greenlawn Cemetery under the personal direction of John Garrett. Shannon Brady, Kyla Millard, Kadan Brady, Cheyenne Battles, Grace McKnight, Krista McKnight, Leah Kasenurm, Lillie Martin and Mackenzie Blackburn are serving as Casket Bearers. Derek Blackburn, David McKnight, Thad Martin, Hayes Martin & Martin Brady will serve as Honorary Casket Bearers. You may share online condolences with Virgie's family @wwwgarrettfamilyfuneralhome.com. The family of Virgie Martin entrusted her care, services and burial to John & Kim Garrett of Garrett Family Funeral Home & Cremation Service 311 SW 2nd Checotah, OK 74426 (918) 473-2244
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