Mary Martin

Born in Bonham, Texas on April 4, 1920

Departed on February 2, 2017 and resided in Nashville, Tennessee

Visitation: Harpeth Hills Funeral Home & Cremation CenterSunday February 26, 2017 3:00pm to 5:00pmCelebration of Life Service: Harpeth Hills Funeral Home & Cremation CenterMonday February 27, 2017 10:00amReception: The Pavilion at HapethMonday February 27, 2017 11:30am

Mrs. Mary Belle Martin (née Ramsey) died peacefully in her home on February 22, 2017 in Nashville, TN at the age of 96. She was a member of Martin Memorial Church and was beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and friend.

Mary Belle is survived by three children, Robert E. Martin (Jeri), Mary E. Hagen (Ron), and Judith A. Wilcox (Brian); eight grandchildren; and ten great grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her beloved husband of 70 years, Edwin E. Martin.

Mary Belle was born on April 4, 1920 in Bonham, TX. She graduated from Madison College in 1942 with a nursing degree. She married Edwin E. Martin in 1944, and, together, they became parents in 1947, grandparents in 1971, and great grandparents in 2002.

Her life's work was spent in the care of others. In her professional career, she was a Registered Nurse and worked alongside Edwin (who operated various health care facilities), where she displayed a tireless work ethic and selflessness in caring for patients who had nowhere else to go. In her personal life, she not only devoted herself to the care of her own family but to just about anyone in need. She spent countless hours caring and advocating for people from all over the world - some she knew intimately, others she had never met.

Mary Belle lived out her faith for nearly a century, showing a commitment to caring for others that was a rare gift and will always serve as a model to all who knew her.

Visitation will be 3-5 p.m. on Sunday, February 26, 2017 at Harpeth Hills Funeral Home, 9090 Hwy 100, Nashville. A Celebration of Life Service will be at 10 a.m. on Monday, February 27 at Harpeth Hills Funeral Home with Pastor David Van Wyk officiating. Interment will follow at Harpeth Hills Memory Gardens. A reception will follow the service at The Pavilion at Harpeth Hills. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Mary Belle's life. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to HEAL Ministries, Inc. (Mailing: PO Box 50361, Nashville, TN 37205; Web: heal-ministries.org; Venmo: @HEALministries).