Joseph Sr

Joseph E. Martin Sr. was born January 31, 1926 in Hartford, CT. He was the son of Henry L. Martin Sr. and Robie (Hayes) Martin.Joseph was a veteran of the US Army. After returning from the military he married Thelma L. Kelly on December 1, 1947 in St. Louis, MO. She preceded him in death November 1, 2004.  He was employed at Laclede Steel Co. until his retirement in 1988.He was currently a member of Union Baptist Church. In 1983 he accepted his call to the ministry at The Church of the Good Samaritan.  Besides being a loving husband, father and grandfather he had a great passion for photography, reading and fishing.  Most of all he loved spreading God’s word, praying for people and giving a word of encouragement to anyone who needed it.On Thursday July 9, 2015 Joseph answered his greatest call and went home to be with the Lord at 9:17 a.m at Rosewood Care Center.He leaves to cherish his life two sons: Forrest (Eve) Booth, of Glen Carbon IL Gregory (Zelma) Martin, 2 daughters; Valerie (Richard) Freeman, Barbara (William) Thompson, all of Alton, IL son-in-law Curtis Taylor Jr. of Troutville, VA, daughter-in-law Delores Martin of Oxon Hill, MD.,19 grandchildren,19 great grandchildren and 8 great great grandchildren. Brothers: Isadore (Dot) Martin, Henry (Nancy) Martin Jr.  Sisters: Joyce Leftwich and Grace EllingtonBesides his parents and wife he was preceded in death by 2 children, Vivian Martin-Taylor and Joseph Martin Jr., 3 grandchildren; Karyn Martin-Bennet, Isiah Freeman, Eric Thompson.Visitation Friday July 17, 2015 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Cathy M. Williams & Sons Funeral Home in Alton.Visitation to continue from 9:00 a.m. until time of service 10:00 a.m. at Transformers United for Christ Church, 1145 College Ave. AltonRev. Kelvin Ellison to officiateBurial Upper Alton CemeteryFull Military Honors: Alton VFW Post 1308Online Condolences and guestbook available at www.cmwilliamsfh.com

Obit Provided By:
Cathy M Williams & Sons Funeral Home