Ida Mae Martin, 91, died April 3, 2017. She was born to the late Claiborne Johnson and Mattie Smith-Johnson on May 3, 1925 in Damascus, MS. In 1954, she married the late James C. Martin, Sr., who passed away October 14, 2014. Married for 60 years, they raised their four children in Memphis, TN. Upon retiring in 1985, they moved to Cherokee Village, AR.

She passed away in Bartlett, TN, after continuing to smile and bring joy for all of her 91 years.

Ida Mae is survived by a sister, Velma Henderson, sons James, Martin, Jr., and Cecil Martin, and daughters Mona LuAnn Martin and Lori Osborn. She is also survived by four grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews, and their families. Her brothers Moody Johnson and Cecil Johnson preceded her in death.

Ida Mae was a loving wife and mother, from the earliest times of rocking and singing to her babies. An active church member, she even walked her children to church. She taught and directed children's Sunday School classes until she moved with her husband to Cherokee Village in 1985, where she then taught and studied with the "Joy Class" Sunday School at First Baptist Church of Cherokee Village. She also taught kindergarten, and later provided care at a daycare.

Her love of children was evident all her life, as was her passion for all life, from birds to vegetable and flower gardening. She continued her mother's passion for good cooking and writing short stories and poetry, instilling in her children a love for reading.

Everyone who crossed paths with Ida Mae was blessed with a smile and spirit that emanated love and kindness, and fun. A treasure to all who knew her, she was a wise woman who helped provide growth in the lives of all who interacted with her.

Visitation will be 12 noon to 2:00 p.m. Saturday, April 8, 2017, with Funeral Service to follow at 2:00 p.m., and burial immediately afterwards. All will be held at Forest Hill Funeral Home and Cemetery Midtown on Elvis Presley Blvd.