Annie Bell Martin

Annie Bell was born January 9, 1938 Annie Bell Ballard to the late Reverend Isaac and Margaret Ballard, in Bethune, South Carolina. In the early 1940’s the family moved to Trenton, New Jersey and joined the Union Baptist Church where Annie Bell was baptized by the Reverend S.A. Grayson. Annie Bell was the oldest of ten children and attended Trenton Elementary and Junior High schools. She graduated from Trenton Central High School in 1955. After High School, Annie Bell became employed by the St. Francis Hospital as a nurses’ aide. Annie Bell later married her high school sweetheart Leon Robert Martin, Sr. From this union two sons, Leon (Shane) Robert Martin, Jr. and Gregory Martin were born. Annie Bell was a phenomenal cook and for most of her career was employed at Carolyn Stokes Day Care as a cook. Over the years she offered her culinary skills to serve on the kitchen staff of her beloved church on the Celebration Committee, Funeral Committee, Summer Day Care Program and anywhere she was asked to serve. For Annie Bell, cooking and providing for her family was her language of love. She enjoyed traveling, reading and listening to jazz, (she loved the songs of Abby Lincoln). Annie Bell was a member of the South Trenton Reunion Committee. She participated in social activities at her senior residence in Ewing Township and was once celebrated as Tenant of the Year. Annie Bell loved the Lord and enjoyed reading her Daily Word. Over the last two years of her life, she shared uplifting scripture and prayer each Sunday morning by way of spiritual conference calls with her sisters. During her youth and much of her adult life Annie Bell attended the Bethlehem Baptist Church in Trenton, New Jersey where her father, the late Rev. Isaac Ballard, Sr., was the pastor. In the mid 1980’s she became a member of the St. John’s Baptist Church, in Ewing, New Jersey, under the pastorate of Reverend Dr. Vincent H. Jackson. Annie Bell was a dedicated member of the Missionary Society (Treasurer), Women’s Fellowship, and Hospitality Committee where everyone will miss her welcoming smile. Annie Bell was predeceased by parents Reverend Isaac, Sr. and Margaret Ballard; husband, Leon Robert Martin, Sr.; sons Leon "Shane" Robert Martin, Jr, and Gregory Martin; grandson, Leon Martin, III; sister, Sarah Jean Hutton and brother David Ballard. Annie Bell is survived by her brother, Dr. Isaac Ballard, Jr. (Susan) of Princeton, NJ, sister Marguerite Fitzgerald of Ewing, NJ, brother Abdul Bakr (Roxanne) of Ewing, NJ, sister Barbara Grayson of Ewing, NJ, brother Mumtaz Bakr (LaBella) of Ewing, NJ, brother Allen Ballard, Sr. (Sylvia) of Trenton, NJ, brother Ronnie Ballard of Trenton, NJ, grandsons Dwayne Martin of Dallas, GA, and Joel Martin of Fairless Hills, PA. Great grandchildren Lamont, Kiara, and Amaya Martin of Trenton, NJ, Luca Martin of Fairless Hills, PA, sister-in-law Janet Ballard of Lawrenceville, GA and daughter-in-law Michelle Martin of Edgewater Park, NJ. Special cousins Deacon Allen Ballard (Sheila) Bronx, NY, and Margaret Brown of Toms River, NJ. Special friends Mildred Russell, Lula Bell Liverman, Cardella Ansley and Alice Lewis and a host of Nieces, Nephews and Cousins.

Annie Bell Martin

January 9, 1938 - September 19, 2022