Martha Luella Martin

Martha Luella Martin of Masury, a former longtime resident of 7834 Budd St., Masury, went home to be with the Lord Saturday evening, June 27, 2026, in the hospital of Sharon Regional Health System. She was 99.

Mrs. Martin was born July 4, 1926, in Alexander City, Ala., to Willie Tuck and Lillie Maude Watkins Tuck. Martha moved to Detroit at the age of 11 and at 12, relocated to Shenango Valley to live with her maternal aunt and uncle, Lester Carrie and Thomas William Hunt, who then reared her.

She was a 1947 alumna of Brookfield High School.

Martha married her beloved husband, Osborne Martin Sr., on Oct. 30, 1948, having become engaged to him on Valentine's Day that year. After 60 years of commitment and devotion as loving life partners, Osborne, whom she affectionately called "Tops," passed away Jan. 30, 2009.

As a lifetime homemaker, Mrs. Martin was a former active member, past secretary, treasurer and president for many years of Blue Star Mothers of America Crowder Stewart Chapter 13 of Farrell, the first and only established African-American Blue Star Mothers Chapter in the state of Pennsylvania. Mrs. Martin was elected and served in 1988-89 as the first African American president for Blue Star Mothers Department of Pennsylvania. She previously held many state positions including department president, historian, treasurer, chaplain and financial and recording secretaries. She was a former national Blue Star Mothers historian, recording secretary, flag guard and soloist.

As a participant in the Blue Stars, she assisted as the group sponsored numerous veterans’ projects and fundraisers. She served as a secretary and treasurer of the Big Dipper, its state scholarship division that provided aid to several local graduating seniors pursuing higher education. Through the years assisted by Shannon Funeral Home Ltd. of Wheatland, Martha and other mothers participated in Memorial Day services and Veteran's Day and other holiday parades. In 1989, Mrs. Martin was honored to be a part of the Blue Star Mothers delegation which placed a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Washington, D.C.

A faithful member of Cedar Avenue Church of God in Sharon, Mrs. Martin was a church mother, an elder, food pantry member, former deaconess, Sunday school and Vacation Bible School teacher for the kindergarten class and a youth counselor, and was on the usher board and sanctuary choir, both in which she served in numerous offices. For many years, Mother Martin worked as a cook for Youth Camp Middlesex at National Association of the Church of God Campgrounds, Shenango Township. She also volunteered as an instructor for a cooking class at the former Russell C. Phillips Dream Academy at the church.

For her many years of exemplary and sacrificial service at the church, Mother Martin was recipient one year of a Member of the Year Award.

Until 1956, she was an active member of First Baptist Church in Farrell, where she served on the choir, and was an usher and Sunday school superintendent and belonged to numerous other groups including the Live Wire Auxiliary.

Martha loved children; her greatest pleasure was caring for children, having helped to rear many of her grandchildren, rocking them to sleep with her soulful, melodious versions of childhood lullabies. She enjoyed baking bread, often sharing delicious homemade rolls with her children and others for holidays and events, even throughout her later years.

She leaves to cherish her memory: her children and spouses, Osborne W. Martin Jr., Masury; Elders Thomas M. Martin and Elder Brenda J. Martin, Youngstown; Marcia L. Gregory, Hermitage; and Dala Y. Barrow and her husband Clifford D. Barrow Sr., Hubbard; her grandchildren, Omar, William "Billy," Brian, Jason, Eric and his wife Marlene, Shanté', John, Toia and her husband Erik, Amanda and Clifford "CJ"; step-grandchildren, numerous great-grandchildren, her church family and a host of other relatives and friends.

Besides her beloved husband, Osborne “Tops,” Martha was preceded in death by her guardians, Thomas and Lester Hunt; her parents, Willie Tuck and Lillie M. Watkins; a daughter-in-law, Beverly "B.J." Martin; and a sister-in-law, Rebecca J. "Jo" Tuck.

A Home Going Service will be held in her honor on Monday, July 6, 2026, beginning at 11:00 AM, at Cedar Avenue Church of God, 1045 Cedar Avenue, Sharon, Pennsylvania, 16146, where family & friends may gather to pay their respects from 10:00 to 11:00 AM. She will be laid to rest next to her husband in Brookfield Township Cemetery.

Expressions of sympathy can be left for her family at www.bricelandfuneralservice.com

Memorial contributions can be made in her honor to her church.