.and Jesus wiped away the last tear from my grandmothers eye! Proverbs 31:30-31 30 Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised. 31 Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates. Pray that the Spirit of conviction will touch the hearts of her lost sons and daughters. Many of them, including my dad, will never see their mother again unless they accept Jesus as their Saviour. Much of who I am is deeply rooted in the character of this woman. I can only imagine about her life before I knew her. Raising such a large family through four or more decades would be hard enough. Imagine doing it with no indoor plumbing until the mid 60s. Or other luxuries we take for granted like electric/gas stoves, micro-waves, corner drug stores, or ever driving a car. Think of the sleepless nights and countless prayers she must have prayed when some of her boys were out all night. The angst as she saw some go to places with names like Korea, Vietnam, and cold war Germany, wondering if they would come home again. Think of the heartache of losing a child, or seeing not one, but two of her children losing a child. Through it all she remained steadfast that Gods plan would work it all out in the end. Never wavering, always giving. I remember the look of satisfaction on her face the first time she heard me called Paw-Paw by my grandson. I heard the sound of contentment in her voice when she questioned me about it. I believe she was glad that a younger, more modern generation would find such a hick title respectable. I am proud to be her grandson. Thank you for this forum that allows me to type the thoughts that my lips cant seem to speak. Please allow me to include her obituary so you might have a glimpse of the woman I called Maw-Maw Martin. Viola M. Martin CRICKMER -- Viola M. Martin, 84, of Crickmer, went home to be with her Lord and Savior, at her home on Sunday, March 20, 2005, following a long illness. Born April 30, 1920, at Beelick Knob, she was a daughter of the late James E. and Rachel Catherine Ballenger Adkins. Mrs. Martin was a member of Millbrook Baptist Church at Crickmer, and a homemaker. Other than her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Clarence 'Budge" Martin; a son, Randall Martin; two grandsons, Veral Forren and David Martin Jr.; a great-grandson, Curtis Burgess; a grandson-in-law, Gary Wickline; five brothers; and five sisters. She was the last surviving member of her immediate family. Survivors include five daughters, Frances Forren and husband, Clinton, of Yorktown, Va., June McClanahan and husband, Hubert, of Danese, Bonnie Thomas and husband, Ray, of Danese, Barbara Cornelius and husband, Tony, of Crickmer, and Nancy Bragg and husband, Garry, of Moorefield, W.Va; nine sons, Paul Martin and wife, Linda, of Beckley, Bernard Martin and wife, Judy, of Crickmer, Jerry "Bunt" Martin and wife, Judy, of Danese, David Martin of Crickmer, Larry "Buck" Martin and wife, Geraldine, of Danese, Terry Martin and wife, Vanessa, of Crickmer, the Rev. Steve Martin and wife, Susan, of Crickmer, Ralph Martin and wife, Tara, of Crickmer, and Matt Martin and wife, Carmie of Danese; 36 grandchildren; 40 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. Service will be 12 noon Wednesday at Wallace & Wallace Chapel in Rainelle, with the Rev. Mike Tincher officiating. Burial will follow in Martin Cemetery at Crickmer. Friends may call from 11 to 12 noon or one hour prior to the service Wednesday at the funeral home. There will be no evening visitation. Arrangements by Wallace & Wallace of Rainelle.
Dwayne, I am sorry for your loss,but after reading your post,I am happy for your Maw Maw. Thank you for posting.It is a breath of fresh air on this board lately.I am sure that your Maw Maw was a blessing in life,as I am sure she will be blessed in eternal life. I am also blessed to hear someone else call their grandparents Maw Maw and Paw Paw. Bless you and your family.
she is in the best place in the world now, with the Lord !! may God be with you in this time of sorrow
Dwayne - Although it's always sad to have a loved one pass on, it's comforting to know she is know in the presense of the Lord!! It sounds like she was a remarkable woman of God!! :TU: What an exceptional role model. Let's all keep the rest of the family in our prayers.
I will NEVER tire of hearing stories of Grandma or Grandpa being the influence that leads kids to the Lord. It seems to happen so much. Thank you for sharing that story. My mom too, died 15 years ago seeing one son and one daughter unsaved, but I'm sure she never quit praying for them. Now it is up to me to pray for them, and also to make sure that my kids understand that He came to earth to save them. This Easter, more than ever before it is so real to me how God sent his only Son to die for me. What a short time this life here on earth is! (Had to leave church early just now as both kids were suddenly afflicted with dizziness and headaches???!!!) So I came here to read some testimonies, etc. Carl
