Pearl Martin

Pearl Ann (Couch) Martin was called home to her Lord on January 28, 2023. She was born October 28, 1933 in Heart, Arkansas to Presley and Bonnie Couch. She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 63 years, Lemuel Martin; parents, Presley and Bonnie Couch; one brother, Ray Couch; a sister-in-law, Peggy Couch; son-in-law, Bob Holder; daughter-in-law, Kim Martin; and one nephew, John Patrick Couch. Pearl graduated Valedictorian of her class from Mammoth Spring High School in 1951. She married the love of her life, Lemuel Boyd Martin, on May 24, 1952. Lemuel and Pearl raised six loving children in Mammoth Spring, Arkansas: Boyd, Patricia, Lavonda, Floyd, Keith, and Cindy. Pearl graduated from Arkansas State University in 1972. As an educator at heart, she devoted her skills and career as an elementary school teacher at Poughkeepsie, Mammoth Spring, and Izard County Consolidated. A true entrepreneur, she and her husband opened their first of several restaurants beginning in the late 1960s. They eventually settled on a farm in Franklin and later moved to Ash Flat, Arkansas. On many occasions, one could observe the pair on their front porch waving, offering greetings and also blessings to those passing by. Lemuel and Pearl became Christians in 1952 and were devoted members of the Church of Christ. They raised their family at the Welcome Hill Church of Christ in Mammoth Spring. The couple later attended Franklin Church of Christ. More recently, Pearl was a member of Harrisburg Church of Christ. Pearl was very active in her church congregation, and she loved her church family as her own. Pearl was loved by many: she was a wonderful wife, a loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. In her later years, you could often find Pearl reading, planting flowers, cooking, or crocheting baby blankets for all of her grandchildren and even many of her great-grandchildren. She was a teacher of all things, a faithful Christian, a listener, and a caregiver; she always wanted to make sure her family came first. Pearl is survived by six children: Boyd (Sarah) Martin of Mt. Pleasant, AR, Patricia Martin (Baird) Kinney of Jordan, AR, Lavonda (Dale) Estep of North Little Rock, AR, Floyd (Margaret) of Navasota, TX, Keith (Gina) Martin of Scott City, MO, and Cindy (Steve) Armstrong of Jonesboro, AR; 18 grandchildren: Johnny (Allison) Madden, Athania Madden (Dustin Bookout), Amy (Jermaine) Rodgers, Michael (Amanda) Holder, Jacob (Ashley) Holder, Samantha (Ryan) Lamb, Michael (Jamie) Martin, Melissa (Lane) Davis, Rebecca Estep (Jerry Bratton), Heather Silas, Rachel Estep, Renea Estep (Michael Hennings), Scott (Monica) Martin, Logan (Courtney) Martin, Kaleb Martin, Katie (Jordan) Landers, Tyler Armstrong, Emily Armstrong, and Cassie Armstrong; 32 great-grandchildren: Leighton, Levi, Mia, Felicity, Alayna, Benjamin, Turner, Allie, Koby, Audrey, Madison, Claire, Drake, Jenna, Magnolia, Ayden, Mackenzie, Peyton, Keyleigh, Braden, Aujah, Kaleb, Dalton, Brooke, Ariel, Annabelle, Garrett, Emmy, Trip, Lauren, Alexis, and Natalie; a brother, Joe (Ruth) Couch of Harrison, AR; and numerous other relatives with a multitude of many dear friends and former students. Services: Visitation of family and friends will be from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Friday, February 3, 2023; Funeral will begin at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, February 4 ... all in the Chapel of Tri-County Funeral Home, 1540 Hwy 62/412, Highland, AR 72542. Burial will follow in Agnos Cemetery, Agnos, AR with grandsons serving as pallbearers.