GWENDOLYN CLAIRE MARTIN

Gwendolyn C. Martin (Williams) started her (earth) life journey on November 29, 1944, in Cleveland, Ohio. The second of five children from our Matriarch, Willa Mae Williams – Doll Baby (Fuggs) and raised by her stepfather Willie (Dog Willie) Williams. She attended Kinnard jr. High School and graduated from John Hay High School where she received her high school diploma. On September 18, 1965 (1965-1974) she was married to Mr. Robert J. Martin, and they had two children, Alisa and Sherri. She loved Art and Music. She often talked about being an Architect. She loved Art, Music, and Flowers. She often talked about being an Architect. She was an excellent artist and could draw replicas of people and places just by looking at them. She was witty and had a dry sense of humor with a bubbly melodic laugh. She loved the tootsie roll and party songs like it. She was a Disney and Animation Fan and owned an extensive VHS collection.

She worked at the Ford Motor Company Cafeteria (1974-1974). She worked at the Native Son Deli (on 154th and Kinsman Avenue) when the Dazz Band played there regularly and would sing their songs a lot, along with Maze/Frankie Beverly, Earth Wind and Fire, Stevie Wonder, The Commodores and a plethora of other great musical artists of that era.

Other places of employment were the Cuyahoga County Board of Mental Health. She moved to Asheville, North Carolina (1983) for a few years to help family members (Francis and James Greene) run their laundry mat/convenience store, returned to Cleveland (1991) and worked for the Shaker Heights School System for many years then retired from Jennings Senior Living in Garfield Heights, OH in 2012. She also took care of many older family members who needed assistance during her career and family journey.

She was an avid bowler and was a member of many bowling leagues. She was active in his church and served on various committees and was Baptized again, by Pastor Napoleon Harris of Second Metropolitan Missionary Baptist Church.

She was predeceased by her parents; sister, Mary Alice Williams, bother, Fredrick Willims; sister, Elaine McClain (Wilton). She leaves to cherish her memory, her daughters, Alisa Graves (Jeffrey) and Sherri Martin; Granddaughters Kennetha D. Martin and Kaila M. Moss; sister, Estelle R. Williams, best friend since childhood, Mrs. Alfreda Barnes, and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, friends and “special” friends.

Gwendolyn touched many lives during her journey, and her presence will be sorely missed by family and friends.

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