October 2, 1917 ~ February 23, 2009
Funeral services for Garland Red Martin, of Longview, formerly of Hughes Springs, will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 28th at Reeder-Davis Chapel in Hughes Springs with the Rev. Larry Neeley and Rev. Jimmy Samples officiating. Entombment will follow at Hughes Springs Cemetery under direction of Reeder-Davis Funeral Home, Inc. of Hughes Springs. Mr. Martin will lie in state on Friday, February 27th and the family will receive friends from 6-8 P.M. Garland Red Martin died on February 23, 2009, at 91 years of age. He was born to C.E. Martin and Bessie Patman Martin Oct. 2, 1917. He was nicknamed Red because of his orange-red hair he had when he was young and mostly everyone knew him by that name. He graduated from Commerce and joined the US Air Force in which he was a pilot during WWII. Shortly before joining the Air Force, he married the love of his life, MaeNon Spann and they shared nearly 69 years together. During his years in the Air Force, they traveled and lived in places such as Bakersfield, CA, Biloxi, MS, St. Louis, MO, and Spearfish, SD. However, he found Hughes Springs to be his home and therefore settled there in 1947 in which he began working at Lone Star Steel. He retired from there after 33 years of loyal service. He also was a member of the First Baptist Church of Hughes Springs. He was also a great fisherman and several great catches made it into the record books. He was preceded in death by his parents C.E. and Bessie Martin, his two sisters Jo Edmiston and Eman Ruth Sanders, and his loving wife of 69 years MaeNon Martin. He is survived by his son Eric Lee Martin of Longview; his daughter Charlotte Sherry Carter of Baytown, TX; granddaughter Sarah Vasquez of Baytown, TX; niece Kay Blair of Carthage, TX; Chuck Sanders of Texarkana, TX; and several nieces and nephews. Pallbearers will be Jason Cope, Ron Cope, Scott Cope, Bruce Martin, Ted Collier and James Allwhite. Honorary Pallbearers will be Dylan Collier and Landry Collier.
Guestbook
I am so sorry to hear about red! I wish that myself and my children had gotten the chance to get to know him before he passed away. I will be praying for all who was close to him in this hard time.Melissa
Eric, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. You have been so blessed to have two wonderful parents. I know you are hurting, and even though family and friends are there for you, you miss your Dad. I can not take away the pain, but know that I am always there for you. Who you are today is a result of his love for you. Cherish the love he had for you and the great life he had on this Earth. He is always with you every step you take and smiles with joy in every success in your life. God bless you and keep you in his loving arms as you go through the days ahead. Love ya, Judy
Eric, Why one person has to endure 2 losses in such a short time is beyond our understanding. However, what a glorious day it was for your mom when she welcomed Red back home! They raised a fine young man; our memories go back to middle school, don't they? I still have the 10 commandments bracelet you gave me π Maybe Red had a part in that? What a fine man he was! I, for one, will never forget him, and he will live on through you. You can bet that with every step you take, your mom and dad will be there! May God bless you and keep you in these trying days ahead!
Eric, Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this time of sadness. God's peace will comfort you, and the memories you have of your dad will remain in your heart forever. He is at peace now, reunited with his wife and I know they are both watching over you. You did such a great job caring for him and I know he was proud of the man you became. We are here if you need us. Red was a fine man! In peace & love, Brian, Angela & Claire
Dear Eric and family, Im sorry for you alls loss I know he will be missed by many.. You all will be in my prayers and thoughts.
My loving thoughts and prayers are with you, Eric, and the rest of your family during this difficult time. I would do anything to take away some of the hurt and burden you have endured of late. Life throws us some real doozys at times! You have been such amazing rock during the last year and always had your parents care as a top priority. I hope that knowledge brings you some comfort, Eric. You continue to shine their light through yours every day, so, shine, baby, shine!
Red Martin was quite the character and I feel fortunate I was able to know him. I have fond memories of visiting he and Mae in Hughes Springs and Longview and also their visits to my home. I still laugh about the deviled eggs!! He was quite the storyteller and I think he kept everyone entertained telling of his life experiences. It was quite obvious that Maenon was the "love of his life"! How fitting that he die on their anniversary to be with her once again? Find comfort in knowing that you did your best in taking care of both of them. It was quite a journey, but now you have the opportunity to pursue your dreams and let the world see what a fine young man that Red and Maenon raised.Love you much!
a lif lone friend and my best fishing friend i have every had
I am sorry for your loss. He was such a good man. I'll miss him driving by and his flower's that he always gave me to plant. I have his flower's in my yard and I'll always remember him as a special friend.
Dearest Eric, I am so sorry for your loss. Your Dad was the best and despite being very strict on you, he always made sure you had the very best there was to have. He provided you with love above all and took you in as a baby, adopted you, and loved you like you were his own biological son instead of a great nephew. I will never forget all the times he would call your name… He had a unique way of saying "Eric" when he was telling you it was time to get off the phone, or time to leave my house. The man had 3 loves: MaeNon, You, and Fishing! Like I told you the other day, your folks and my Grandfather are up in Heaven fishing right now.
Eric: Tom and I were saddened to learn of Red's death. We know, however, that he has gone to a better place — and he is with Maenon once again. You are in our prayers. We love you.
I'm sorry for your great loss. Your dad sounded like a really great guy! You're in my thoughts and prayers.
Eric -You have been through so much in the short time we have known you but I know your parents raised you with a heart of gold and want nothing more for you to live your life and share your love with others. Through your life (and your love) they live here on Earth and they now will live an eternity in Heaven with no pain, no sorrow, no heartache! Red is celebrating, praising a mighty God, seeing a spectrum of colors and amazing scenes in Heaven. I thought these lyrics might give you comfort.We read of a place thats called heaven,Its made for the pure and the free;These truths in Gods Word He hath given,How beautiful heaven must be. In heaven no drooping nor pining,No wishing for elsewhere to be;Gods light is forever there shining,How beautiful heaven must be.How beautiful heaven must be,Sweet home of the happy and free;Fair heaven of rest for the weary, How beautiful heaven must be.Our thoughts, prayers, and love are with you – now and always!
Dear Sherry and Eric and Kay and Chuck and all my family in Texas, What a blessing that Uncle Red and Aunt Mae had such a long life together and now they are together again. I have some wonderful memories of their visits to Mammy's when we were children and our visits to their house too. I wish I could be there with you during this time to share your grief and sorrow and give you all hugs. Thank you for finding me after all the years that have passed. You have all been in my prayers since I got Sherry's email and I will continue to pray for you.May God comfort each of you as only He can.
I didn't know your dad and enjoyed reading about him. Seems like "Red" had a very interesting and content life with your Mother and now they are together again. You know that I feel for you having to endure so much in such a short period of time. You have wonderful memories and a new future ahead of you.Love,Doreen & Barry
in life we must reliaze that a time to cry and a time to be happy and a time to die we love you red martin
My Uncle Red, so many memories that will live on forever in my heart. I love you and will miss you.
Eric, you have been a wonderful friend to me. I am so glad you had "real" parents who loved and cared for you. You are a wonderful son and they were lucky to have you. You are the kind of "son" any mother or father would want. May you go on to fill your dreams in all ways. May God stand by your side always.
God loves you Red
WE ARE REMEMBERING YOU IN OUR PRAYERS. YOU HAVE DONE VERY GOOD TAKING CARE OF HIM AND MAENON. YOU SHOULD HAVE NO REGREATS. JUST HANG ON TO THE GOOD MEMORIES.
Though Red is lost to your sight Eric, he will always be dear in your memory. I hope that thought will help ease your loss and your pain. Keep those memories alive and he will always be with you.Life isnt always beautiful, but tis a beautiful ride. Live for today,learn from yesterday, and have hope for the future.With Deepest SympathyBruce
EricThank you for sharing your parents with us for the last few years. It was such a pleasure to see you with them and the love you showed and the care for them. They are happy to be together again, that was God's plan. We will be there for you not to take their place but to see you grow to be the great man you are. Memories are forever.
We are sorry for your loss. He will be with MaeNon now and is smiling down from Heaven keeping watch over you. If you ever need us, we are there…
Dearest Eric, I am so sorry for your loss. Red was a good man. I always enjoyed talking to him when we would pick up Kristy from your house and vice versa. You are in my prayers.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Eric,I am so sorry for the loss of your parents. Please know that I am thinking of you during this time. Hold onto the memories and find peace in knowing that they did not have to be apart for long. Love, Mrs. Ray