Nora Kathryn Garrett Martin was born on December 26, 1941, in Pharoah, Oklahoma. She was raised by her mother and father, Mary Jane and Elijah Garrett, along with 10 siblings, in Harbor City, California, after moving there at age 10.
Through a ministry with her church, she, at age 15, met her then-future husband, Raymond Martin, a Navy Machinery Repairman, from Stonewall, Mississippi. The two were married on March 6, 1960.
While Raymond had many deployments during his 20 years with the Navy, including Vietnam, the family was able to join him at several duty stations. These included San Diego and Long Beach, California, Meridian, Mississippi, Guam, and Solomon's Island, Maryland. After his retirement in 1975, they moved to Quitman, Mississippi, for their permanent home.
After coming to Quitman, Nora worked 12 years as a legal secretary for Covington Law Office and as rural mail carrier for the Quitman Post Office as a Route 3 sub for 5 years and on Route 1 as a regular carrier for 11 years.
A woman of many talents, her interests throughout the years have included ceramics, painting, writing, sewing, creating beautiful wedding cakes, and playing the accordion and piano. She also enjoys reading, singing, puzzling (jigsaw, crossword, and sudoku), working in the yard, and spending time with her family. She has been blessed with five children, 23 grandchildren, and 11 great grandchildren. When they all get together, her house is full, and she loves every minute of it.
Having a December birthday mixed in with the busiest holiday of the year can have its downsides at times. It was very important to us, her family, that we celebrate her 80th on her actual birthday. If Nora has touched your life in any way, please consider taking some time out of your busy schedule to stop by and let her know. We will be at First Baptist Church of Stonewall (632 Church Street, Stonewall) on December 26, 2021, from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.
