Beckham County, OK - Obits: Joseph Robert Martin, 1925 18 August 2008 Submitted by: delma25@pldi.net (Delma Tindell) ********************************************************************* USGENWEB NOTICE Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ********************************************************************* MARTIN, JOSEPH ROBERT (19 Jan 1925, Elk City Newspaper, Elk City, Beckham Co, OK): There was great sorrow in Elk City yesterday when it was learned that Uncle Bob Martin, living northeast of Elk City, had passed away that morning, after a short illness. While he had not been well for some time, and had been feeling somewhat worse the past week, but still it was not thought he was in serious condition. He went out of doors yesterday morning and in a short time came back saying he was sick and also blind. Medical help was called but he passed away in about an hour. Mr. Martin has been in this part of the country since the early day, coming from Ashland, Mo., where he was born and where he lived until moving to this country. He was a great stock man and a good farmer. Since a young man he was a member of the Baptist Church and ever lived a consecrated Christian life. He leaves his wife and seven children, Willis, Broaddus, Grover, Palmer, and Miss Edna, who live in the neighborhood in which their father lived, and Ephriam Martin of Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Mrs. May Stratton of California. Funeral services will be held Saturday afternoon at the Baptist Church in Elk City, at 2 o'clock, after which the remains will be taken to Thomas cemetery for interment beside the grave of his oldest son, John, who died soon after they came to this country. A good man is gone, one we all loved and respected and our deepest sympathy is extended to the bereaved ones. A fitting obituary will be published next week. (26 Jan 1925, Elk City Newspaper, Elk City, Beckham Co, OK): Joseph Robert Martin was born in Logan County, Kentucky, and was seventy-six years old last March. He moved to Boone County, Mo., at which place he was married to Miss Elvira Roberts. They had looked forward to celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary in April. In November 1899 they moved to Oklahoma, settling northeast of Elk City where he lived until his death, January 15th, 1925. He went through the early day experiences of the pioneer, and with his cheerful happy disposition he not only helped to bring Oklahoma to its present successful state but he cheered others on, and helped by word and deed to encourage those who might have become discouraged. He was a good neighbor and ever willing to do all he could for them, and there was great sadness among them when they learned of his death. The deep love and respect in which he was held was attested to by the large number of neighbors and friends who came to Elk City to attend the funeral which was held in the Baptist church, he having been a faithful member of that denomination since he was sixteen years of age. He was always a faithful attendant at church services when able to go, and when that pleasure was denied him because of illness he would tell the children to be sure and tell him the text the preacher used at the services. "Uncle Bobby" as he was familiarly called was a great lover of children, and they always wanted to go to see him, or have him at their home. They never thought of being afraid of him and no greater pleasure could he have than to be with them. He was very proud of his twenty-seven grandchildren. His eldest grandchild, Lawrence Howard came from Fulton, Mo., to attend his funeral. Uncle Bobby always had such a happy greeting for his friends and how he did appreciate their visits when he was in the hospital. We can still see that glad smile and the wave of his hand and when in his last sleep he looked so natural, one almost imagined as they gazed upon him that he would wake up and give them his usual happy greeting. When Rev. Hamilton lived here Uncle Bobby told him that no matter where he went he wanted him to come back at his death to conduct his funeral, and while the family did not know this, they knew of his great love for Rev. Hamilton and telephoned him at Hominy to come, which he did. How glad they were that they did so when they learned of his former request. Rev. Hamilton was assisted by Rev. L. D. Mitchell in the service and both spoke eloquent words of the virtues of Uncle Bobby, his great faith in God of his modest disposition, his true friendship, of his good works and how his beautiful life would ever be a testimony for the right and one that left an influence that will be felt for years. He leaves a wife and seven children to mourn his loss. Three children preceded him in death being John who died at the age of twenty-one, Mrs. Lizzie Gatten who passed away five years ago, and Mrs. Sallie Howard who died six years ago. Those surviving are Ephriam Martin of Albuquerque, New Mexico, Mrs. May Stratton of Los Angeles, California, and Willis, Broaddus, Grover, Palmer and Edna Martin of Elk City. In his father's family there were four girls and two boys, and he was the last to go, his brother, Rev. J. W. Martin passing away suddenly a year ago. (Jan 1925, Elk City Newspaper, Elk City, Beckham Co, OK): R. B. Martin, or "Uncle Bob" as familiarly known by all his friends, passed into the Great Beyond, Thursday of last week. The funeral services were held at the Baptist Church in Elk City, Saturday afternoon and the burial at the Thompson cemetery (Custer County). "Uncle Bob" had a host of friends who were sorry to hear of his death. The family have the deepest sympathy of all in their sorrow. E. E. Martin of Albuquerque, New Mexico, attended the funeral services of his father. He is visiting with relatives for a few days before his return home. --------------------------------------------------- Return to Beckham County Archives: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ok/beckham/beckham.html