Louvenia (Parker) Martin

Obituary

The Memoir of our Matriarch 

ma·tri·arch | \ ˈmā-trē-ˌärk: A dignified mother who is head and ruler of her family and descendants
 
When the time had come at the dawning of The Great Depression in 1929, God willed it to be so that Mrs. Louvenia Parker-Martin would be born in Gadsden, Alabama on September 18, to the late Mr. Oliver “Bunk” Parker and the late Mrs. Annar Mae Weaver-Parker. From this moment forward, Louvenia was a matriarch in the making. She was a woman born with a predestined capacity to witness, live through and learn from nine decades of change. Every season Louvenia experienced in life equipped her with the wisdom, grace and love her family all benefited from.   

Her journey began with a solid foundation of faith in the Lord Jesus as her personal Lord and Savior. She received Christ at an early age under the leadership of Rev. Robinson at Mount Pleasant Baptist Church in Piedmont, AL. Louvenia received her formal education in the Calhoun County Public School System, where she attended Bethune High School.

Louvenia utilized her gifts, talents and skills throughout her life, making an impact by serving as a culinarian, housekeeper, and nanny. She embodied a servant’s heart. She mentored, groomed, impacted, and encouraged countless of individuals. 

Louvenia was clothed with dignity and honor as a wife and a mother. She and Mr. Tollie Martin fell in love and joined together in holy matrimony November 10, 1959, and a total of four children completed the Martin household. 

She personified laughter, found joy in listening to soulful music and enjoyed watching television shows; a few of her favorite shows were: Judge Judy, The Price is Right and Jeopardy. In her latter years, she discovered and appreciated the things that truly matter in life: love and family. She enjoyed sitting in her recliner at home and talking on the phone to family and friends. All who knew her will remember her distinctive personality, incredible sense of humor and most of all her unique way of expressing her love. Throughout all the life moments God permitted in her life, He was grooming her to be the matriarch we know, cherish and honor. 

Proverbs 31:31 declares, “Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.”

She is preceded in death by her Husband, Mr. Tollie Martin; Parents, Mr. Oliver and Annar Parker; Sister, Queen Ester Love; Brother, Joshua Parker; Great grandsons, Ty Watson and James Parker III; Sister-in-law, Mrs. Eleise Parker; Brother-in-law, Mr. Willie “Duck” Rawls. Louvenia Parker-Martin, our beloved matriarch, kept the faith, finished her course and answered the Master’s call to exchange her cross for a crown Wednesday, January 5, 2022. Now, her children arise and call her blessed…” Proverbs 31:28. 

Our matriarch leaves to cherish her precious memories and to sustain the Martin legacy, her beloved children; James (Alice) Parker, Juanita Martin, Cynthia (Elder Larry) Watson, and Todd Martin all of Gadsden, Alabama; Brother, Willie James Parker; Sisters, Elvetta Parker, Loretta Rawls and Anna Faye Parker; Grandchildren, Roderick (Gia) Parker, James (Nina) Parker II, Shemeka Parker, Tonya Wills, Cedric (Sandy) Watson, Cheron Watson, Mario Parker, Bridgette Watson, Larry Watson, Allison Trammell, Timothy (Latoya) Martin, Michelle Martin, Brandon (Jelesa) Martin, Brandy Martin, Darian Watson, Martavius Parker, Deanna Parker, Anquinetta (Walter) Rowland, Elissa Parker, Captoria (Chedrick) Edwards. She leaves a host of Great-Grandchildren, Great Great-grandchildren, Nieces, Nephews other relatives and many dear friends. 

                                                                "Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all."

                                                                                            Proverbs 31:29 NIV