Audrey Estelline Martin

Audrey "Essie" Martin 97, of Lakeside, passed away, August 1, 2007 at her home. Mrs. Martin, a retired Day Care Provider and Baker for Wilbur's Market, was born, September 19, 1909 in Harrisburg, Oklahoma. She spent part of her childhood in Oklahoma, before moving with her family to Phoenix in 1917. She attended Phoenix Union High School. Following school, she married Quillar H. "Buster" Martin and Essie helped care for Buster's parents. At the onset of WWII she began working at Air Research and worked there on the assembly line during the duration of the war. Once the war was over, she owned Martin's Day Nursery at 32nd St and Fillmore in Phoenix. Essie and Buster moved to Lakeside in 1965 where she was a home maker, she then went to work for Wilbur's Market. Buster preceded her in death in July of 1984. She retired in 1987. During her retirement, she volunteered at the Lakeside Senior Center, as an Exercise Instructor. Essie enjoyed Bridge, Dominos and working in her yard. Essie was very independent and lived independently until the final month of her life. She is survived by 2 daughters, Betty Angel of Bullhead City, AZ and Audry Lehr of Estancia, NM; a son, Bill Martin of Akron, Ohio; 1 sister, Esther Korinek of Phoenix, AZ; 14 grandchildren; 28 great grandchildren and several great great grandchildren. Essie was preceded in death by her daughter, Roberta Foley; 9 siblings as well as her parents, Tom and Maude Ridgeway. A visitation will be held at Owens Mortuary of Show Low Friday August 3, 2007 from 6-8 PM with a Prayer service beginning at 7 PM. Contributions may be made in the name of Audrey "Essie" Martin to RTA Hospice & Palliative Care at 1789 W. Commerce Dr. Lakeside, Arizona 85929