Evelyn K. Martin

A Memorial Service for Mrs. Evelyn Kay Martin is scheduled at the Dyer Funeral Home in Cookeville TN (www.dyerfuneralservices.com) on Tuesday December 14th, at 6:00pm. A second memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on March 16, 2011 at the Trona California Foursquare Church, 12315 C. Street, Trona California. Bro. Wallace Martin will officiate. Mrs. Martin passed away peacefully on Monday, November 29, 2010 at Masters Health Care Center. Kay is survived by her husband, Walter Martin and two sons, David Martin, and Phillip Martin (wife Jill) and grandchildren Jesse, Halle and James, as well as a stepson Kevin Martin. Her two surviving siblings, Sue Griffith (Glenn) and Jane Gorman, have sons Scott Heinig and Ralph Gorman. Marie Timmons, her sister-in-law, has two daughters Alysha and Anitra. Evelyn Kay was born in Houston Texas to the late JD and Bessie Lee Timmons. She grew up in Rialto California, graduated from Eisenhower High School, and had formal arts training at San Bernardino Valley College. She married Walter in February of 1971 who adopted her son David, a child of her first marriage, and gave birth to Phillip in 1972. While raising their two sons in the San Francisco Bay Area, Kay earned a reputation as a talented artist and effective community organizer and business woman. She was a feminist who inspired respect from the people that surrounded her. Kay spent many years fundraising and managing events to support her sons in the Foothill Marching Band in Pleasanton. She funded their education by creating and selling the intricate paper sculptures at art shows and galleries. Kay brought both sides of the family together with irreplaceable enthusiasm for organizing family gatherings, parties and reunions. Her strength, talent, and playfulness touched and inspired everyone who knew her. Mrs. Martin was preceded in death by her parents and her elder brother, Butch Timmons. Should friends desire, contributions may be sent to the Alzheimer's Association, 1459 Interstate Dr. Suite 211, Cookeville, TN 38501.