Lemuel Martin

Lemuel Boyd Martin was born October 19, 1926, in Mammoth Spring, Arkansas. He was the son of Lester James and Rebecca Florence Smith Martin. He was called home to his Lord on May 22, 2015. He was preceded in death by his mother, Rebecca Florence Smith-Martin; his father, Lester James Martin; his step-mother, Edna Smith Martin; his step-brother, Bill Leroy Martin; and his son-in-law, Bobby Holder. Lemuel married the love of his life, Pearl Ann Couch, on May 24, 1952. Lemuel and Pearl raised six children: Boyd, Patricia, Lavonda, Floyd, Keith, and Cindy in Mammoth Spring. A veteran of World War II, Lemuel returned home and held a variety of jobs: a grocery store manager, shoe store salesman, and a milkman for Sealtest Dairy. An entrepreneur at heart, Lemuel and Pearl opened their first of several restaurants in the late 60’s, located in Salem, Oxford, Franklin, and Ash Flat. Lemuel and Pearl eventually settled in Franklin, where Lemuel began farming. In 1998 after Lemuel was hospitalized, they sold the farm and moved to Ash Flat. On any given day, you could find Lemuel on the front porch of their home, waving to passersby on Hwy 67/167. Lemuel and Pearl became Christians in 1952 and raised their family in Welcome Hill Church of Christ. When they moved to Franklin, Lemuel continued his work at Franklin Church of Christ, leading Bible study and song. Lemuel found joy in his work at the church and loved his church family as his own. Lemuel was regarded by many as a great man, one of the greatest. But, he was more than that. He was a devout Christian and a wonderful husband, and he was the best dad. He raised the best aunts and uncles that a family can have. We will cry because we miss him. But he is at peace now. Thank you, and we love you. Lemuel is survived by his loving wife Pearl Ann Couch-Martin of 63 years; six children: son Boyd and his wife Sarah; daughter Patricia Holder of Bethesda; daughter Lavonda and her husband Dale Estep; son Floyd and his wife Margaret of Navasota, TX; son Keith and his wife Kim of Walnut Ridge; daughter Cindy and her husband Steve Armstrong of Weiner; eighteen grandchildren: Johnny Madden and his wife Amy; Athania Hardin; Amy Rodgers and her husband Jermaine; Michael Holder and his wife Amanda; Jacob Holder and his wife Ashley; Samantha Lamb and her husband Ryan; Michael Martin; Melissa Davis and her husband Lane; Rebecca Reynolds and her husband Bentley; Renea Estep; Rachel Estep; Scott Martin and his wife Monica; Logan Martin and his wife Courtney; Kaleb Martin; Katie Armstrong; Tyler Armstrong; Emily Armstrong; and Cassie Armstrong; twenty-one great-grandchildren: Annabelle, Aujah, Kaleb, Brooke, Dalton, Ariel, Braden, Keyleigh, Peyton, Mackenzie, Ayden, Drake Lemuel, Jenna K. Pearl, Madison, Audrey, Koby, TJ, Allie, Beau, and Benjamin; his brother-in-law, Joe Berry Couch and his wife Ruth of Harrison; and a host of other family and friends. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday, May 24, at Tri-County Funeral Home in Highland. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. on Monday, May 25, in the Tri-County Chapel with Larry Yarber officiating. Lemuel will be laid to rest at the Agnos Church of Christ Cemetery. His grandsons will serve as pallbearers.