R.C. Martin

PATTON, Mo. -- Rufus Clay Martin, 82, of Patton, died Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2002, at his home.

He was born Sept. 26, 1920, in Tyronza, Ark., the son of Henry and Callie Ashlock Martin. He and Virginia Cossell were married March 20, 1992.

He spent most of his life in the Avert community in Stoddard County, was a retired farmer and Church of God minister and was the former owner of Martin Hill Retirement Center near Avert.

Survivors include his wife; two sons, Gary and Darrell Martin, both of Essex, Mo.; a daughter, Scarlett "Scottie" Justice of Conroe, Texas; three brothers, Bill Martin of Sikeston, Mo., Uton Martin of Springfield, Mo., and Aaron Martin of Aquilla, Mo.; a sister, Pauline Lyons of Sikeston; 12 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.

Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the Chiles-Cooper Funeral Home in Bloomfield, Mo. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. Burial will follow in the Walker Cemetery near Bloomfield.