Genette Copley Martin

Genette Copley Martin, age 83, passed away Wednesday, November 27, 2013.  Mrs. Martin was a born on March 30, 1930 in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Mrs. Martin was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Edward Martin and brother, Edgar Copley. Genette was born as Olive Genette Copley, on March 30, 1930 in Stillwater, in Payne County, Oklahoma to Irl R. Copley and Albie Eudora Miller. She did not really like the name "Olive", and so asked and hoped that people would call her by her middle name, Genette - which will be used here. Genette grew up with what is affectionately titled as "The Big Eight" - Isaiah, Beth, Ida, Echo, Edgar, Genette, Edith, and Albert, and of course Grandma (Albie), and Granddad (Irl). Now as there was a big age gap in having 8 children, some of these probably had already left home. But suffice it to say, the home at 1323 Lowry Street home in Stillwater, Oklahoma was not big enough to house 10 comfortably. Most of the time at least three sisters would have to sleep in a single room. This probably did not afford one to become introverted, or totally independent, but rather helped in their sense of community, and working together. Giving to her community has always been a huge part of who Genette was. In 1936, during The Great Depression, Genette began to help with selling of food goods to town's people and five cent candy to school kids, at the family grocery store which was at their home. There were many occasions where she helped to make sandwiches, and hand them out to poor folks that much needed something to eat during these difficult times. She volunteered to dozens of organizations such as United Methodist Women, Grant County Extension Services, Mimbres Valley Community development projects, servmg on various capacities from secretary/treasurer to president. Religious organizations also played a big role in community, and in Genette's life, God has always been number one. Her education portrays this, graduating with a Bachelor of Music Education from Oklahoma A&M in 1951. She knew she could use this to teach and direct in many Methodist choirs in the years to come. She was a Methodist Youth Caravaner in Texas and New Mexico in 1947. She worked at Y.M.C.A. Conference Camp in Estes Park, Colorado in 1951. She also taught music in Fredonia, Kansas to elementary and junior high students during that same year. Then in 1952 she attended SMU Perkins School of Theology in Dallas Texas. In 1954 she graduated from SMU with a Master's of Religious Education. After graduation from SMU, Genette took a job at First Methodist Church at Everett, Washington. There was a church member there named Derrald Martin (author's uncle). Derrald and his wife Alice, invited Genette to dinner, setting her up with Derrald's brother, Edward. Genette was married to Edward Merlin Martin on September 17, 1955 at the parsonage of the Everett First Methodist. The honeymoon followed in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. Ed brought,a daughter, age 5, into the marriage, Teresa Mae, born November 8, 1950, in Kirkland, Washington. Then on June 15, 1956, they had their first son, Philip Todd. Son, Keith Edward followed on August 25, 1961, and their third and final son, Kirby Loren, was born October 24, 1963. All 3 were born in Bremerton, Washington, where Dad, (Edward), worked as a Sheet Metal Technician at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard at Bremerton. Ed and Genette were charter members of the Bremerton St. Lukes Methodist Church. They were also charter members of Mimbres United Methodist Church in New Mexico. Genette played piano for many churches for about 30 years. She was choir director for many of those as well. The most important things in her life have always been God, family, community, and her arts and crafts. She has remained faithful to those endeavors throughout her lifetime. 
Survivors: Sons, Philip Martin and wife Karen of Weatherford, Keith Martin and wife Mona of Minbres, New Mexico, Kirby Martin and wife Nety of Plano, brothers, Isaiah  Copley of Stillwater, Albert Copley of Phoenix, Arkansas, sisters, Edith Schuler of Oklahoma City, Beth Baker of Noble, Oklahoma, Ida Maxwell of El Paso, Texas, Echo Waldby of Alvin, Texas, two grandchildren, Michael and Heidi and two great grandchildren.
Service:  1:00 p.m. Sunday, December 1, 2013 at Brock United Methodist Church with Pastor Scott Goodfellow officiating. Interment will be at a later date at DFW National Cemetery. Galbreaith Pickard Funeral Chapel in charge of arrangements.

Service:  1:00 p.m. Sunday, December 1,
2013 at Brock United Methodist Church with Pastor Scott Goodfellow
officiating.

Interment will be at a later date at DFW National Cemetery.