Emily Martin
Emily Martin Obituary
Emily A. Martin, the matriarch of the Walker family, passed away peacefully in her sleep on July 20, 2020 and was reunited with her heavenly family. She was 80 years old. Emily was born on May 11, 1940 in New York, New York. She was the eldest daughter of the late Beatrice Mitchell Mott and Creede Mott. She also had four siblings: James Mott, Edward Mott, Elsie Mott and Joan Miller, all of whom preceded her in death. In 1957, Emily graduated from Sarah J. Hale Vocational High School in Brooklyn, New York with a diploma in the Arts, specifically Ballet and Drawing. Emily subsequently married her beloved, the late Eddie Walker, Sr., the father of her eleven children, three of whom (Leroy Walker, Adam Walker and Anthony Walker) predeceased her. She later married, the late Eugene Bell Martin, a retired veteran of the United States Army. Despite suffering a stroke which paralyzed the left side of her body in 2006, Emily's mind remained sharp and she maintained her zest for life for the next fourteen years. Through her example, we were able to witness the embodiment of the traits of resilience and perseverance. Emily was a spiritual woman who believed in and loved God, but her greatest love was her children. She was a kind-hearted (but no-nonsense) stay-at-home-mom. She was also a loving wife and grandmother who guided and nurtured her family, always being sure to put them first. Among other notable aspects of her personality, she was very proud of her heritage, was an exceptional cook, counted green as her favorite color and particularly enjoyed old-school rhythm & blues music. She was ambidextrous and could even draw with both hands. In her later years, her primary pastime became watching Black Entertainment Television (BET). After a time, we all knew, when we were planning to visit her, that we could expect her to watch BET for hours on end - usually while she enjoyed her favorite snack: plain Lay's potato chips. While we all laughed (and even shook our heads) about it, no one dared change the channel! We just learned to tune out the programs while we concentrated on enjoying being there and speaking with her. It was at times such as these, when she was surrounded by family, listening to stories and getting caught up on achievements and milestones in their lives, that she was happiest. Her joy for life and indomitable spirit live on through her children for whom she cared so deeply. Left to cherish fond memories and rejoice in her homegoing are her eight remaining biological children and their spouses: Raymond and Dawn Walker; Beatrice Jones; Alicia Walker; Elizabeth Walker and Greg Holland; Darlene Futch and Osvaldo Rosario; Eddie, Jr. and Tammy Walker; Nadine Walker and Gerald Dugger; and Desiree Walker and James Hart III; her honorary children: Cheryl Walker, Rhondell Haywood and Lynn Martin; and her twenty-three grandchildren: Tameeka Mills, Raymond Walker, Anthony Walker, Mark Jones, Dupree Walker, Tashauna Jones, Ajaherl Smith, Jamasia Walker, Johnny Futch, Avery Walker, Quintin Futch, Marquinsia Walker, Qwalivia Cooper, Totyonna Cooper, Gerron Walker, Nahson Walker, Deondrae Cates, Steffon Cates, Tyrus Cates, Kiara Engleton, Daquonn Walker, Tania Engleton and Omarion Walker. Emily is also survived by a host of additional relatives including but not limited to her thirty great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild, in-laws, nieces, nephews and cousins. She is also mourned by many friends, including the numerous healthcare professionals at the University Village Nursing Center in Tampa, Florida who made the later years of her life more comfortable. Those who had the pleasure of knowing or meeting the phenomenal Mrs. Martin will miss her kind spirit, loving attitude and generous nature. They should, however, take comfort in the knowledge that she is simply asleep, having moved on from this place of perpetual weariness to another where there is no suffering or pain; just a peaceful rest. "God is within her; she will not fall." (Psalm 46:5). Graveside Ceremony will be held on Saturday, August 8, 2020 at 11:00am at the Dunnellon Community Cemetery in Dunnellon Florida.
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