Max Martin

Bro. Max Martin, of Palestine, Texas, passed away peacefully at home with his loving wife by his side on Monday, the 13th day of February 2023.  He was 86 years of age.  Bro. Max was born on the 3rd day of May 1936 in the Blackjack Community of Cherokee County to parents Oran Braley Martin and Alma Mae Jones Martin.

Bro. Max graduated from high school at the Academy of Jacksonville Baptist College.  He attended college at Jacksonville Baptist College, Southeastern Baptist College in Laurel, Mississippi, and attended BMA Seminary in Jacksonville, Texas.  Bro. Max went to work for Mrs. Baird’s Bakeries in March of 1977 and retired in 1997.  Prior to that he worked for six years for Sunbeam Bakeries out of Tyler and he worked for just over a year at the Rusk State Hospital.  Bro. Max also worked for Weiner’s Department Store and Danburg’s Department Store which is where he met Cynthia.   

Bro. Max preached the Gospel for many years at various churches including Antioch Baptist Church in Fairfield, Texas, Calvary Baptist Church in Groves, Texas, Tiger’s Creek Baptist Church in Richton, Mississippi, Temple Baptist Church in Laurel, Mississippi, East Amory Baptist Church in Amory, Mississippi, Pearson Chapel Baptist Church in Lovelady, Texas, Friendship Missionary Baptist Church in Palestine, Texas, New Hope Baptist Church in Jacksonville, Texas, Grapeland Baptist Church in Grapeland, Texas, and Long Lake Baptist Church in Palestine, Texas.  He also served as the music director for several of the congregations.  Bro. Max loved the Lord with all his heart and walked with Him daily preaching and saving souls.  He was known by many and immensely loved by his family and countless number of friends.    

Bro. Max joins in Heaven his parents Oran and Alma Martin.

He is survived by his devoted wife of 56 years Cynthia Arlene Martin; daughters, Connie Ballard and husband Ray of Brandon, Mississippi, Vickie Wells of College Station, Texas, Susan Dorsey and husband Cavin of Palestine, Texas; sons, Michael Martin and wife Michelle of Noonday, Texas, and James Martin and wife Kelly of Elkhart, Texas; brother, Charles Martin and wife Erma of Troup, Texas; twenty-one grandchildren; eighteen great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.

Friends are invited to visit with the family from six o’clock until eight o’clock in the evening on Friday, the 17th day of February 2023 at Rhone Funeral Home.

A funeral service to celebrate Bro. Max’s life is to be conducted at ten o’clock in the morning on Saturday, the 18th day of February 2023 in the Rhone Memorial Chapel with Bro. Roy Duncan officiating the service.  Interment will follow in Magnolia Cemetery.

Those honored to serve as pallbearers are Cavin Dorsey, Freddie Pryor, Jim Anderson, Joel Enge, Rick DeFreece and Dwayne Gardner. Honorary pallbearers include Donald Lacy and Ray Ballard.

In lieu of customary remembrances, memorial contributions can be directed towards Vecinos en Cristo, 2204 Venture View, Palestine, Texas 75803.

Funeral services for Bro. Max Martin are in care of Rhone Funeral Home, 3900 S. State Highway 19, Palestine, Texas. 

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