Maggie Louise Martin

CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF MAGGIE LOUISE MARTIN Maggie Louise Evans was born in Screven County, Georgia on April 26, 1932 to her late parents Jessie Bell Evans Brooks and Mack Evans. At the tender age of five, her family relocated to Plant City Florida and later to Lakeland, Florida. Maggie attended the Washington Park Elementary School and Rochelle High School in Florida. At a young age, Maggie developed a bright and outgoing personality. She enjoyed being a cheerleader during her High School years. While residing in Florida, Maggie and her family attended the Methodist Church. In 1948, Maggie and her family moved to Middlesex, New Jersey to stay with her maternal Aunt, Willie Heard. At the age of 18, Maggie began working for Muhlenberg Hospital, Plainfield, NJ in the maternity ward. This position further cultivated her love for babies and children. Maggie became very active at the Third Street Church of God in Plainfield, NJ. Maggie was appointed Secretary of the Sunday School Department and attend the Young People’s Ministry at the church. Maggie attended a Youth Convention in Virginia and met Jean Eubanks Williams. Jean proceeded to tell Maggie about her charming and handsome Uncle Eddie. As time would have it, Eddie later came to sing at Maggie’s church in Plainfield and sang “Now I Belong To Jesus”. As a result, Maggie hummed and sang this song around the house continuously. This was the beginning of a wonderful relationship. On August 14, 1954, Maggie and Eddie married; they resided in Brooklyn, NY and attended Tompkins Avenue Church of God. They relocated to Piscataway, NJ in 1959. As their family continued to grow, they later settled in Somerset, NJ where they have resided for over fifty years. Maggie and Eddie were the proud parents of four children: Harvey, Kenny, Greg and Joan. Maggie was a very devoted and nurturing mother to her children. Maggie and Eddie enjoyed 64 years of marriage before his demise in December 2018. They were true examples of the love two people can give to each other. They were dedicated Christians all of their married life. The Martins had a beautiful life together, raised their children in the fear of the Lord and traveled extensively domestically and internationally – Europe, Hawaii, Alaska, Africa, to name a few. They attended the Church of God Youth Convention every December, taking not only their children, but nieces and friends of their children – youngsters who would not otherwise have experienced travel and staying at a hotel. Maggie and Eddie were blessed to attend all of the Royal-Evans-Brooks Family Reunions. Maggie was employed by Ethicon, a Johnson & Johnson subsidiary and retired after giving them years of faithful service. Maggie was a lover of life always admiring God’s beauty - her favorite color was yellow, and she had a passion for butterflies. Her hobbies included crocheting, gardening, photography and going to the beach – oh how she loved to float in the water! She was full of hospitality and thoroughly enjoyed hosting her family, church members and friends for dinner. Maggie was a cook par excellent. In short, Maggie was a people person and immensely loved her immediate and extended family. Maggie was a true Missionary. For many years she visited the sick, fed the hungry, clothed the naked and visited those in prisons. Her ministry was within and outside of the church walls. Her ministry outreach and genuine love for people prompted her to spearhead a project raising money to finance the surgery needed for a young Kenyan girl, Ana, she met in her travels to Africa. Maggie shared Ana’s story with her family, church family and friends; they were all involved with helping Maggie raise funds for the surgery. This surgery allowed Ana to walk which is something Ana’s parents thought she would never be able to do. Maggie was very active and served faithfully at the Community Church of God in Plainfield, NJ and later at the Elizabeth Church of God in Elizabeth, NJ. Maggie thoroughly enjoyed being a Sunday School Teacher at both congregations. She went door-to-door recruiting and picking up children for Sunday School and other related activities. Maggie performed extensive follow-up and communication with their parents. She later served as the local Sunday School Superintendent, as well as the NJ State Sunday School Superintendent of the Church of God. In 1999, Maggie joined First Baptist Church of Lincoln Gardens in Somerset, NJ. Maggie was active in the Seniors Ministry and looked forward to attending the Seniors Fellowship every Tuesday. The summation of Maggie’s’ life is penned in the song, “Only What You Do For Christ Will Last”; it is only what you do for Him that will be counted in the end! Maggie had two favorite scriptures: Matthew 25:40 which reads “And the King shall answer and say unto them, ‘Verily I say unto you, in as much as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.’” The other one is Habakkuk 3:17-18, “Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labor of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.” Maggie enjoyed a full, sacrificial and exciting life which she gladly shared with her family and friends. Left to cherish her memory are her children; three sons; Harvey Martin (Marlene), Bishop. E. Kenneth Martin (Estelle), Gregory Martin (Cassondra) and one daughter, Joan Martin; five granddaughters, Nicole, Chalana, Tiara (Stanley), Marina, Brianna and one grandson, Joshua; four great-grandchildren, Isaiah, Norelle, Arian, Jonah; four sisters: Phyllis Franklin, Julia Purnell, Louvenia “Bebe” Major, Sandra Asanya; one brother, Curtis Robinson and two sisters-in-law Carol Evans and Shirley Brooks. Maggie was predeceased by her loving husband, Eddie B. Martin, two sisters, Jessie Evans Hamilton and Frances Kelly; six brothers; Eskew Evans, Lonnie Evans, Brooks Ziegler, Joseph Ziegler, Jesse Evans and Lawrence Brooks, and a loving host of cousins, nieces, and nephews. Maggie’s beautiful life of service, love, devotion and steadfastness is best expressed with these words… “And now abideth faith, hope and love, but the greatest of these is love.” To Family and Friends When I am gone, release me, let me go. I have so many things to see and do. You mustn’t tie yourself to me with tears. Be happy that we had so many years. I gave you my love. You can only guess how much you gave me in happiness. I thank you for the love each have shown. But now it’s time I travel on alone. So grieve a while for me, if grieve you must. Then let your grieve be comfort by trust. It’s only for awhile that we must part. I won’t be far away, for life goes on. So, if you need me…just believe Though you can’t see or touch me, I’ll be near. And if you listen with your heart, You’ll hear all of my love around you, soft and clear. And then when you must come this way alone, I’ll greet you with a smile and a “Welcome Home.” Maggie: (Origin Greek) meaning Pearl Her Style Combines Patience and Composure Maggie is as beautiful as she is thoughtful Kindness and thoughtfulness becomes her She’s captured her family’s heart Maggie believes true beauty comes from within She’s admired for her artistic ability She enjoys excitement and new experiences She possess keen powers of reason

Maggie Louise Martin

April 26, 1932 - March 24, 2021