James Rufus “Jim” Martin passed away peacefully with his family by his bedside on October 8, 2019.
He was born January 26, 1935, in Semmes, Alabama to Essie Mae Martin and John Parish Martin. He graduated from Semmes High school. He served in the United States Army Company C. 19th Battalion Second Training Regiment in Fort Jackson, South Carolina. After completing his term in the military, he married the love of his life, Bonnie Watson, on August 22, 1958. They had two daughters Jeanine and Linda, which were the other two women in his life that he loved with all his heart.
The second love of his life was farming and tractors. There is probably no one else on earth who enjoyed planting the land, watching it grow, harvesting the crop, and most of all, sharing the produce with others. “Jim” gave away more vegetables than he kept and always grew more than he ever needed.
The other loves of Jim’s life were his two dogs, Bama and Christmas. They will miss the truck rides to the store for an oatmeal cookie.
Jim is survived by his wife, Bonnie Martin; his daughters, Jeanine Martin, of Mobile, Alabama and Linda Martin Tyre (Allen) of Jacksonville, Florida; grandchildren, James Montgomery, Travis A. Tyre, III, Alex Tyre, Janel Montgomery, Janna Montgomery, Kelly Tyre, and West Tyre; also survived by his brother, Buddy Martin (Melba) and his sister, Johnnie Ruth Martin Gibson. He is preceded in death by his parents, Essie Mae Martin and John Parish Martin; and his siblings, Betty Ann Stewart, Lucille Crutchfield, Edna Lee, Jack Martin, and Beth Shumock.
Funeral services were held on Saturday, October 12, 2019, with visitation from 10:00-11:00, service was at 11:00 a.m. with reception to follow at Mont Rose Baptist Church, 5165 County Road 640, Quitman, MS, 39355.
In lieu of flowers, the Martin family suggest donations be made to Mont Rose Baptist Church. Online condolences can be given at www.wrightsfuneral.com.
