Willie Martin

Willie F. Martin, age 81 of Waukesha, died Friday, September 28, 2007 at home with her family by her side. She was born on March 25, 1926 in Alabama, the daughter of Henry and Alma (Goddard) Roach. After growing up on Look Out Mountain in Rossville, Georgia, Willie married James F. Martin on September 4, 1954. Together they lived in Massachusetts prior to moving to Minneapolis. It was there she chose to start a family and become a mother through adoption. The family moved to Wisconsin in 1964, and she has lived in Waukesha for the past 40 years. Although she held many jobs throughout her life, Willie is best remembered as a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. She was a loving, caring person and mom not only to her own family, but to many others throughout the years. Willie will be sadly missed by her three children: Jim (Barb) Martin of Brooklyn, WI, John (Wendy) Martin of Hartland, and Kathryn (John) Steiner of Rush, NY; 10 grandchildren: James (Maelea), Christina, and Elizabeth Martin; Tera, Ashley, and Allison Davis; and Melissa, Rebecca, John and Emily Steiner; 5 great-grandchildren: Tyler and Emma Martin; and Jordon, Wesley, and Holly Davis; and 2 sisters: Carrie Brooks of Rossville, Georgia, and J.D. Rentz of Cloudland, Georgia. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. Willie is preceded in death by her husband, James, on February 3, 1996; sisters: Lillian, Lillie, and Edna; brothers: Lonnie, Eugene and Andy Parks; and her parents. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, October 3, 2007 from 9:00 AM until the 11:00 AM Funeral Mass at St. William Catholic Church, 440 N. Moreland Blvd, Waukesha, WI. Fr. Leonard Barbian will preside. Burial will follow at Prairie Home Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Rolland Nelson Crossroads Hospice, 1020 James Dr., Hartland, WI 53029, or to the American Cancer Society, N19 W24350 Riverwood Dr., Waukesha, WI 53188. For further information, please call Randle-Dable Funeral, Cremation and Preplanning Services at (262) 547-4035, or go to www.waukeshafunerals.com for directions or to leave an on-line tribute. "Friends are quiet angels who lift us to our feet when our wings have trouble remembering how to fly - thank you friend."