WILLARD MARTIN

EAST PRAIRIE -- Willard Martin, 76, of East Prairie died Saturday, Oct. 10, 1998, at his home.

He was born June 22, 1922, in Rosedale, Miss., son of Harold W. and Eiren Hale Martin.

He had lived in Mississippi County most of his life where he was a member of the Victory Baptist Church of East Prairie. He was veteran of World War II, serving in the Army. He was retied from the Oil Transport Co.

On April 18, 1959, he married Mary Margaret Carden. She survives.

He is also survived by three sons, Harold W. Martin of Key West, Fla., Ronnie Martin of Daytona, Fla., and Jerry Carden of East Prairie; two daughters, Patricia Carden and Jolanda Martin, both of Florida; two brothers, Willard Ray Martin of Peoria, Ill., and Billy Martin of East Prairie; five sisters, Helen Martin and Sue Martin, both of Peoria, Sara Rose of Ripley, Tenn., Carolyn Johnson of St. Charles and Sherrie Martin of East Prairie; 17 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

Friends may call after 5 p.m. today at the Shelby Funeral Home in East Prairie.

Funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Monday at the Shelby Chapel, with George White and Amos Johnson officiating. Burial will follow in the Dogwood Cemetery near East Prairie.