Wilburn M Martin's Obituary
Services for Wilburn Melvin Martin will be 10:00 a.m. Thursday, August 4, 2011, in the sanctuary of Winterfield United Methodist Church in Longview with the Rev. Jay Barnes officiating. The family will receive visitors from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday August 3, 2011 at Rader Funeral Home. Interment will be in Concord Cemetery in Omaha, Texas, the Rev. Nolan Richey officiating.
Mr. Martin was born February 3, 1920 to Arthur Malvin and Annie Elizabeth Rushing Martin in Ladonia, Texas, and the family moved two weeks later by train to Omaha, Texas. He graduated from Omaha High School in 1938, received his B.S. degree with a double Music Major in 1948 from East Texas State Teachers College in Commerce, Texas and his Masters of Music Education degree in applied instrumental and vocal music in 1953 from Vandercook College of Music in Chicago, Illinois. He married Lora Montine Boozer on December 15, 1943. A World War II veteran, Mr. Martin served in the U.S. Navy Hospital Corps from 1942 to 1946. Wilburn organized Daingerfield, Texas' first public school band in 1947 and continued to teach there until moving to the Judson Independent School District in 1950. He taught high school and junior high band and choir and elementary classroom music in the Judson and Longview Independent School Districts until his retirement in 1990. Martin directed church choirs from the late 1930's until the late 1970's, also participating in many vocal presentations including singing the bass solos in Handel's "Messiah". After retirement, Martin returned to his childhood roots singing Sacred Harp and Southern Gospel music as three generations of his family did before him. Other than music, Martin's hobbies were fishing, hunting, and guiding historical tours throughout all of northeast Texas, especially on and around Caddo Lake where he hunted and fished since 1935. He was a member of the Winterfield United Methodist Church, the Chancel Choir and the Winmore Sunday school Class.
He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Montine Boozer Martin, a sister, Ernestine Martin Munson of Austin, Texas, a daughter and son-in-law, Ouida Martin Henson and John Henson of Joinerville, Texas, a son and daughter-in-law, Roger and Gwen Martin of Longview, a grandson and his wife, Kevin and Christy Henson of Hereford, Texas, a grandson, Derek Martin of Longview, Texas, and, twin great granddaughters, Emily and Melissa Henson of Hereford, Texas, and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Pallbearers will be nephews, Rev. Nolan Richey, Tommy Richey, Donald Richey, Larry Richey, and grandsons, Kevin Henson and Derek Martin.
Honorary Pallbearers will be Ellis Crawford, Jerry Wallace, Sam Satterwhite, Mike Earley, Weldon McFarland, Dr. Joe Baucum, Dr. Swinford C. Wilson, Troyce Dennis, James Ross, Bob Riley and members of the Winmore Sunday School Class..
The family requests that memorials be made to the Winterfield United Methodist Church choir fund, the church building fund, or the Concord Cemetery Fund.
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