Denise Martin

Denise Marie Martin, age 74, went Home to be with the Lord, on November 4, 2024. Denise was born, August 23, 1950, at St. Ann's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, to Juanita and Vernon Barkstall.

She was raised in Columbus; where the family lived, until her mother moved them to the Panama Canal Zone. Denise graduated from Balboa High School in the Canal Zone. After graduation, Denise returned to Ohio, to attend Central State University. Denise continued her education, receiving a Master's Degree in Education; graduating Summa Cum Laude, from Otterbein University. Among her many accolades throughout her career, she also received the Teacher of the Year Award from Clay High School, South Bend, Indiana, in 2004.

Denise was a kind-hearted, loving, devoted, faithful, wife, mother, aunt, and sister. Though she was proud of her degrees, she once said her greatest accomplishment were her two daughters: Pamela ("Little Pam") and Juanita ("Tink"). But what Denise was most proud of was her commitment to Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Denise accepted Jesus Christ and was baptized at the Mt. Olivet Baptist Church in Columbus, Ohio, as a young adult. There, she stayed under the watchful, caring eye of her Godmother Sister Deaconess Elsie Stanley. This is also where she met her future husband, Curtis Martin.

Curtis and Denise were married in 1984, at the nursing home where Curtis' ailing mother was living, so that she could attend their wedding. Denise loved Curtis, more than life itself... Curtis and Denise would have celebrated their 40th Anniversary, this December 30th.

Denise was preceded in death by her parents, Juanita M. Thompson and Vernon L. Barkstall; loving adoptive father, Romie Watkins, Jr., beloved great-aunt and uncle, Sarah F. and Andrew J. Mizelle; sisters Anita R. Watkins and Karen A. Barkstall; brothers Michael (Barkstall) Norris and Daniel Watkins; and a host of other loved ones who were there to greet her at Heaven's gate.

Denise leaves to cherish her memory, husband, Curtis L. Martin; daughters, Pamela R. Woods and Juanita M. Morrison; stepson, Yero L. Martin; beloved stepmother, Barbara Jeanne Watkins; stepfather, Wendell Thompson; sister/cousin and first friend, Pamela A. Mizelle; sisters, Lisa Barkstall of Chicago, IL, Renee Richardson, Mia (Jesse) Prewitt, and adopted twin sisters Tamara and Tanishia Thompson; brothers, Romie (Wanda) Watkins, III of Alta Loma, CA, Jeffrey (Anjela) Barkstall of Champaign, IL, and John M. Watkins; grandchildren, Pamela, Anthony, Ma'Taya, Lucius, Jr., Martin, and Jahleel; great-grandchildren, A'Maris and A'Naai. She also leaves behind a loving extended family of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins... Denise will be greatly missed by her family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to:

The Alzheimer’s Association (www.alz.org/help-support)

Central Ohio Chapter

1379 Dublin Road

Columbus, Ohio 43215

Toll Free: (800) 272-3900

Phone: (614) 457-6003

The Mayo Clinic (www.mayoclinic.org/giving-to-mayo-clinic/contact-us)

Department of Development

Mayo Clinic

200 First Street, SW

Rochester, MN 55905

Toll Free: (855) 852-8129